How to Power Seed a Lawn
A power seeder is useful when overseeding or renovating a home lawn. Rather than having to till up the entire lawn or topdress it after seeding, a power seeder allows you to "inject" the seeds right into the soil. A power seeder also equally spaces out your seeds so you can be assured that a healthy, thick and uniform lawn will grow in. A few steps still need to be performed on your lawn before you begin power seeding though.
Mow your grass down to 1/2 inch if you are overseeding your lawn and rake up all the clippings. If you are renovating your lawn completely, spray the entire lawn with a nonselective herbicide like Roundup. Use a pump-up sprayer or a hose end sprayer to apply the product
- A power seeder is useful when overseeding or renovating a home lawn.
- Rather than having to till up the entire lawn or topdress it after seeding, a power seeder allows you to "inject" the seeds right into the soil.
Rent a power seeder from your local rental store. Read the operation manual thoroughly to see how your specific machine works. Each machine may have different control to operate it.
Fill the hopper on the power seeder with grass seed. Set the application rate to the appropriate setting. Refer to the operation manual for the proper settings.
Drive the power seeder over the entire lawn. Walk in parallel paths to ensure complete coverage.
- Rent a power seeder from your local rental store.
- Read the operation manual thoroughly to see how your specific machine works.
Set up lawn sprinkler and water the lawn two to three times per day for 10 to 14 days. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. If the ground looks too dry or too wet, adjust the watering frequency accordingly. After the grass germinates reduce watering to once per day.
Mow your grass when it reaches 3 inches in height and reduce watering to your regular irrigation schedule. Lawns should receive 1 inch of water per week, so if rainfall isn't adequate you will have to supplement.
Tip
Fall is the ideal time to seed your lawn. The warm, sunny days and cool nights provide a great environment to germinate seed. Also, the competition from weeds is low during the fall.
To ensure better coverage, you may want to run the power seeder over the lawn from two different directions. If you do this, reduce the application rate by half. After both passes, you will have applied the correct amount of seed.
Warning
Make sure you read the operation manual thoroughly before using the power seeder. Failure to do so can result in bodily injury.
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References
Tips
- Fall is the ideal time to seed your lawn. The warm, sunny days and cool nights provide a great environment to germinate seed. Also, the competition from weeds is low during the fall.
- To ensure better coverage, you may want to run the power seeder over the lawn from two different directions. If you do this, reduce the application rate by half. After both passes, you will have applied the correct amount of seed.
Warnings
- Make sure you read the operation manual thoroughly before using the power seeder. Failure to do so can result in bodily injury.
