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Roll in/walk in fescue seed

16 years ago

I'm trying to maximize my seed/soil contact as are all overseeders but I'm trying to figure out the best way. I plan on applying compost after seeding and I assume as I rake out the compost it will mix with the seed and soil a bit and improve seed/soil contact at the same time?

But also, I notice most walk-behind aerators have that "roller" on the front. Should I also use this to "roll-in" the seed as I'll likely still have the aerator I'm renting?

If so, should I do this before or after applying the compost?

P.S. I'm using a rotary spreader to apply seed.

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Comments (3)

auteck
16 years ago
Where in NC are you?
weigojmi
Original Author
16 years ago
Mooresville (just north of Charlotte)
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Well it is favorable temp and conditions right now in Ioway. It has to be KBG, I filled in another few spots in the front yard as well with topsoil, the day before the contracters came out (just over a week ago) and used the Scotts three-blend mix to seed, it apparently only contains bluegrass no fescue or rye. Have been lightly watering twice a day and we had some timely rain. I'm not a botanist but it is definitely grass babies coming up. The stuff in the backyard especially I want to get established as it is on somewhat of a slope. A big gullywasher would tend to wash away the soil and the seed. But my plan is to continue to water for the next month regardless, at least a couple times a day or as necessary to keep the soil moist. I nuked a couple patches of that red fescue (that is really invasive tenacious stuff, stiff leaves, drought tolerant) with Roundup in another area of the lawn, and plan to dig that out and reseed as well. I'm not a lawn fanatic (at least, not yet) but it is a lot easier to maintain a good lawn than wrestle with weeds. Just don't want to bite off more than I can handle.
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auteck
16 years ago
You're in a good location for KBG, here's my recommendation:

Mow your lawn very short, scalp it if you can. Top dress it with compost, then drop drop the KBG seed at a heavy rate (5 lbs per 1,000 for faster coverage)rake your lawn slighly, then water every day for the next 3 weeks. The KBG seed is VERY small, so basically disappears before your eyes, getting every where in you lawn - awesome for overseeding projects.

The variaty for overseeding tall fescue in your neck of the woods is Midnight Star KBG. It's very dark green, and spreads very nicely during the growing season.

You can buy a 50 lbs bag of Midnight Star for about $150 from Southern Seeds in Middlesex, NC.

I hope this helps.

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