How to Prep a Lawn for Slit Seeders
Slit seeding is a method used to restore bald spots on your lawn. It also helps to keep your existing lawn thick and green. A slit seeder is a machine that makes cuts into the lawn and drops seeds into the cuts. It is less invasive than aerating, but it is still an effective way to plant seeds. In order for slit-seeding to be successful, steps must be taken to prepare the lawn. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Grass seed
- Non-selective herbicide (such as Roundup)
- Rake
- Lawn gloves
- Lawn mower
- Water
Instructions
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Remove anything that you don't want on the lawn. This generally refers to weeds, but it can also mean dead grass. Weeds can either be pulled out of the ground (this is where the gloves come in) or sprayed with a non-selective herbicide. When pulling out a weed, it is important to make sure that you don't just remove the surface weed; you must pull out the root as well. The root is usually identified by those stringy "arms" that are trying to cling to the soil. If more than half of the lawn is covered in weeds, then the entire lawn must be sprayed with the herbicide. In those cases, be sure to read the label on the herbicide to find out if you must wait before seeding the lawn. Such drastic measures are not needed for dead grass. This can usually be removed with a rake.
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2
Mow the lawn so that the new grass seeds won't have to compete with the existing grass for water.
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3
Use the slit-seeder. Refer to the instructions for the slit-seeder and the seed to determine the amount of seed that should be used. Be sure to follow any safety protocols that are discussed. The desired pattern you want to form is a that of a criss-cross (it can also be referred to as a checkerboard or making diamond shapes). This means that you will go across the lawn two times. The first time should be at a diagonal angle. The second time should be at an angle that is 45 degrees to the original line. If you are unsure of how to make such an angle, think of a 90 degree angle as two lines that form a capital "L," or as a set of perpendicular lines. A 45 degree angle would cut that "L" shape in half. When you are finished, you should be able to see a checkerboard pattern and, more important, the lawn should be sufficiently covered.
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Water the lawn. In general, the lawn should receive an inch of water every day for the first two weeks. The lawn still needs water after that, though it does not need as much. From this point forward, look for seed germination and water at the appropriate levels for the type of seed you purchased (refer to the seed packaging).
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Tips & Warnings
If you are unsure whether slit-seeding is the appropriate measure to use on your lawn, please consult a lawn care professional. Please read all safety protocols that come with the slit-seeder and the seed.
