Rake Info on overseeding with landscape rake

[CFHartman]

I'm thinking about overseeding this spring 3/4 acre. I plan on using a landscape rake to scratch the surface then spread the seed and then roll.
Are there any recommended settings for the landscape rake. Should I remove every other tooth. I live in zone 6 when would be the best time to start this
Thanks for any help offered.
Charlie

 

[MarkV]

Charlie it would seem to me that the landscape rake may do more damage than good. I also think it would clog with vegetation so quickly that you would not be scratching the soil that much. I use a plug type aerator before over seeding and know some who use a disk set to cut slits but not turn the soil.

As far as timing goes it depends on what type of grass you are over seeding. Cool season grasses like fescue are best done in fall but can also be done early spring. Warm season grasses like Bermuda are generally done in summer months.

Often a soil test to find out amendments the soil needs will produce better results than over seeding.

MarkV

 

[myyaz33]

You might check around to see if you could rent a slit seeder locally.

 

[greg_g]

I scratched a couple of acres quite easily with my 7' rake last fall. But I didn't use a roller. I mixed grass seed with pelletized fertilizer and winter wheat, then went back over it with my chain harrow. That sufficiently covered the seeds. The winter wheat sprouted, and held the soil over winter. Acreage stayed nice and green all winter. Soon as we start getting some warm nights, the grass seeds will germinate.

You can do something similar in the spring, substituting annual rye for the winter wheat. Don't bother taking any teeth out, otherwise you won't expose enough soil. But because of the furrows left by the rake, I'd be concerned that a roller by itself won't (re)cover enough seed. If you can't get your hands on a chain harrow like I used, turn your rake around 180 degrees and drag it back over the seed. That should help cover what's settled into the furrows.

//greg//

 

[daBear]

I am going to try this same task with a spike harrow in a couple of months. I have about two acres of Bermuda in my back yard that was just started last summer. There are a few ruts and rows that need to be leveled out and I do not want to till it up. A tiller will destroy the grass that came up last year. It is in annual rye grass now so what do you think about using a spike harrow??

 

[gilbertmsg]

If you have a good stand of grass already, I agree with MarkV's reference the rake will do more damage than good. If you have access to a drag harrow, it won't do as much damage to your good grass and give the new seed a good place to germinate. I would do it in this order, soil test, seed, drag agressive, turn harrow over, drag and cover, then hope for some rain. Good Luck!! Nothing like some new grass.

Eddie

 

[MarkV]

I am going to try this same task with a spike harrow in a couple of months. I have about two acres of Bermuda in my back yard that was just started last summer. There are a few ruts and rows that need to be leveled out and I do not want to till it up. A tiller will destroy the grass that came up last year. It is in annual rye grass now so what do you think about using a spike harrow??

Bear, you may want to read up on Bermuda if you have a stand that is only one year old before over seeding. I have always understood Bermuda as a slow starter that grows off of runners and takes a year or two to establish. Breaking up those runner with a harrow may do more harm than good.

MarkV

 

[daBear]

Bear, you may want to read up on Bermuda if you have a stand that is only one year old before over seeding. I have always understood Bermuda as a slow starter that grows off of runners and takes a year or two to establish. Breaking up those runner with a harrow may do more harm than good.

MarkV

Yes, I should get a better crop of Bermuda this summer, but breaking the runner does not hurt the plan, it just roots and now you have two. Once it is established Bermuda is a woolybugger to get rid of if you ever want to.

 

[LoneCowboy]

try a spike harrow or chain harrow.
I think that will work much better for you.