Using an Overseeder

[Lindy]

I recently bought an older Landpride OS1548 overseeder, and I'm trying to figure out how to best use the thing.

For my first project, I'm using it as a primary seeder (i.e. NOT seeding into existing lawn at this point). The seedbed has already been well prepped with a tiller, pulverizer, rake, and loyal harrow.

Is it best to put down all the seed in ONE pass, or is it better to do it in TWO passes at half the seeding rate (passes angled to one another)? I'm concerned that if I do it in two passes that the spinning knives will mess up the uniform seed depth and seeding pattern from the first pass.

Also, would the spinning blades on a second pass damage the seed put down on the first pass? e.g. crush, break, or otherwise damage it?

Any recommendations on what starter fertilizer to put down, and in what quantity?

Thanks,
Lindy

 

[art]

I'd just broadcast seed the area you are working with rather then using the overseeder. The desired spacing and the additional tillage to the area are wrong for making a nice lawn. A drop grass seeder would be about 1 1/2" spacing per row for a new seeding. The seed only needs to be mixed in the top 1" of surface dirt.

 

[Lindy]

I'd just broadcast seed the area you are working with rather then using the overseeder. The desired spacing and the additional tillage to the area are wrong for making a nice lawn.

I'm new to this -- still learning....

One of the main reasons I bought an "overseeder" rather than a "primary seeder" is because I thought that the overseeder is capable of excellent quality seeding into either existing lawn OR freshly prepped soil. At least Landpride's literature and web site says that their overseeders "may be used for either overseeding or primary seeding applications".

Are you suggesting I just turn off the spinning blades when using it in freshly prepped soil and just use the seed broadcasting capabilities of the machine, or to use a completely different broadcast seeding unit all together? As it works now, the overseeder does seem to nicely bury the seed it dispenses at about the 1" depth in my prepped areas.

Of course I will use the slitting capability of the overseeder on weak areas of my existing lawn as well.

Thanks,
Lindy

 

[xkrfan]

I'm currently taking a turf management course and one thing i learned was when starting a new seedbed it helps to get the fertilizer into the soil before you actually seed (3-5 days ) and water it in. This helps the seed get a jump start on germination instead of laying side by side with fertilizer fgranules or the first critical days.

 

[Lindy]

I'm currently taking a turf management course and one thing i learned was when starting a new seedbed it helps to get the fertilizer into the soil before you actually seed (3-5 days ) and water it in. This helps the seed get a jump start on germination instead of laying side by side with fertilizer fgranules or the first critical days.

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately it's too late to do that this time, but I'll try that for next fall's project.

Did they say anything about using an overseeder vs a broadcast seeder to seed a new seedbed?

 

[lcisled]

Do you have 2" or 3" spacings on your rotor? Do you have the slit seeder attachment on the back or only the broadcast? Do you have a roller on the front or just the wheels?
We use a 2" spacing with front roller and the broadcast seeding in the back. I have it set so that the rotors dig in to at least 3/4". When overseeding into existing lawns, I feel I get better results when I am pretty aggressive with the rotor. I was about to quit using it because I could not get results. I switched it back from slit seeding to broadcast and set the rotor pretty deep and have loved the machine ever since.
I would seed 1/2 your rate on the first pass and 1/2 on the 2nd going either right angle to first or at least 15 degree to first. Do not worry about hurting first pass-my opinion is that it helps to mix the seed from the first pass.
If you need to, an additional pass with the seeder empty and the PTO off helps to firm the seedbed even more. My opinions only, but my sucess rate is high this way.

 

[Lindy]

Do you have 2" or 3" spacings on your rotor? Do you have the slit seeder attachment on the back or only the broadcast? Do you have a roller on the front or just the wheels?

Thanks Icisled -- I don't know the answers to all your questions. I'll take some measurements and take some pics when I get home from work tonight and post back here.

I have the wheels. No roller in the front, and at some point somebody replaced the cultipacker wheel in the back with a smooth roller. Unless that's available as an option from Landpride?

I've heard about the "slit seeder attachment", but I'm not sure if I have it or not. When I lift up the flap in the back, it looks like a series of inverted "V"s that guide the seed to a smaller area. Is this the "slit seeder attachment"? It still seems to spread the seed over a fairly large area -- certainly not only into the slits that are created by the knives.

 

[lcisled]

If you have the slit seeder attachment, you should have two sets of tubes that the hose coming down from the seed meters can attach to.
The smooth roller I have not seen before. I would think you would do better with the cultipacker type wheels. I would have no experience with that.

 

[Lindy]

Do you have 2" or 3" spacings on your rotor? Do you have the slit seeder attachment on the back or only the broadcast? Do you have a roller on the front or just the wheels?

lcisled: Here's the beast. No idea how old it is. The knife spacing measures 3". Drive/metering wheels on the side, no front roller. Smooth roller in the back.

Is it correct that I DO NOT have the slit seeder attachment? Please see the pic below with the flap up.

Thanks,
Lindy

Flap up in the back. Is this the "broadcast" setup of the OS1548?

Closeup of "seed distributors":

Knives spaced at 3"

 

[lcisled]

Based on the picture, you only have the slit seeder option, not broadcast. It would be nicer to have the 2" to try to seed into bare dirt, but I still think you will be ok.
I would put 1/2 rate down one way and drive at an angle to the first pass for the last 1/2 of the seed.