Spring overseeding and thatch removal – the time is now! An important factor in overseeding is seed-to-soil contact. Whether you have killed the existing turf for a complete renovation or you are seeding into an existing, live stand, seed isn’t likely to achieve much contact with the soil without some help. You need some method of reducing thatch and opening up the turf for the new seed.
Seeding rates may differ from those that you’d use in establishing a stand on bare soil. The competition from existing turf can mean that many of the overseeded grass plants will fail. Thus, some experts actually recommend going a pound or two heavier when overseeding into a living stand.
Many operators successfully overseed by first vertical mowing one or many times, depending on how thatchy the existing turf is. Excess thatch must be removed prior to overseeding, and this sometimes results in large amounts of debris. Then, after seeding, another shallow pass with the vertical mower helps ensure better soil contact with the seed. Sometimes drag mats or rollers are used for this purpose.
Many times, operators incorporate core aeration into the overseeding process as well. This opens additional voids in the turf in which seedlings can grow.
In fact, a variety of strategies can successfully be used establish new turf within existing sod. However, to make the task of overseeding more efficient, manufacturers have created machines that combine several functions into one unit. These machines are, of course,overseeders.
Typically, overseeders possess some type of vertical mower or dethatcher (or sometimes a spiker or other type of aerator), a hopper to hold seed, a mechanism to deliver the seed to the soil in the correct rate and spacing, and a roller to firm over the turf seedbed. A variety of overseeder designs are available, all intended to establish the all-important seed-to-soil contact.
The 1st Products Seed Box gives the ability to primary seed and overseed with the same machine. Accurate exposure of seed flutes are visually measured by raising the easy access wind deflector. Micro-seed calibration adjustments are made using the adjusting screw to align flute exposure. In addition, the1stProducts VC-60 raises the bar in verti-cutting. The patented swing-hitch allows the unit to turn during operation increasing maneuverability and the belt drive (with larger 12 diameter blades) provides a faster blade RPM (tip speed) improving quality of cut.
Call us today for an onsite demonstration of either of these exceptional 1st Products machines.
Contributing Source: Grounds Maintenance Magazine