Slice seeding is not needed on lawns that have small spots, 3-4” in diameter or smaller. A good 5 applications of fertilizer combined with lots of sprinklings and high mowing will usually fill these lawns in 1-year time. If your lawn features more damage or larger bare spots, then slice seeding may be a good choice for you.
Full Answer
What is seed slicing and how does it help your lawn?
They help to spread the seed in a way to promote a fuller, healthier lawn. Naturally, seed slicing takes some preparation before it can happen. So do other methods of improving a lawn. The slice seeding machine cuts grooves into the soil in order to plant the seed.
How to prepare the lawn for slit seeding?
The first thing to do in preparing the lawn for slit seeding is to get rid of the weeds. The definition of a weed is any plant that is growing where it’s not wanted.
How often should I water my lawn after slice seeding?
Watering after slice seeding is different from watering after new sod installation. For the first three weeks, the newly planted lawn should be watered lightly every day. At this point, saturating the soil is not a good idea, as the seeds will wash away.
Should I slice seed or aerate my lawn?
Slice seeding will get those grass seeds off to the best start to fill in your bare areas. Even though aeration creates holes that grass seed will fall into during overseeding, the slice seeder offers the best seed-to-soil contact for faster results. When To Slit Seed Or Aerate Fall is a great time to seed your lawn.
Should you aerate or slice seed?
Slice seeding will get those grass seeds off to the best start to fill in your bare areas. Even though aeration creates holes that grass seed will fall into during overseeding, the slice seeder offers the best seed-to-soil contact for faster results.
When should you slice seed your lawn?
When to Slit Seed or Aerate. Slit seeding and aeration are best done in the early fall, by the end of September. The cool, wet weather gives seeds the best chance to germinate before they have to deal with summer's heat and drought. Then, when spring arrives, your lawn can focus all of its energy on growth.
Do I need to water after slit seeding?
Immediately after overseeding: Water heavily to wash grass seeds into slits. Until grass seeds germinate (first 10-14 days): Water lightly on a daily basis, soaking first one inch of soil. After germination: Water less frequently, but allow for deeper soaking and penetration into soil.
How often should you slice seed?
Slice Seeding your lawn every few years will help thicken it and make it more difficult for weeds to get established. Today's modern grasses look better, stay greener, and need less water than the grasses produced 10 years ago. Adding modern grass varieties to your lawn will keep it greener and more attractive.
How deep should you slit seed?
1:1610:31SLIT SEEDING and SLICE SEEDING A YARD - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSet box right there your seed goes in that box you set your calibration on it and it drops grassMoreSet box right there your seed goes in that box you set your calibration on it and it drops grass seed as the machines moving and there are these disks. Up under the machine that turn very hot they're
Can I mow after slice seeding?
After you lay down your seedlings, they'll need time and the right environmental protection to grow. They'll need to acclimate and set roots before the first mow, so during the first two to four weeks post aerating and overseeding, don't mow.
How do I prepare my lawn for slit seeding?
0:121:55Preparing Your Lawn For A Slice Seeding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipContact for the blades to really cultivate the soil. And create a loose soil for the seed to lay inMoreContact for the blades to really cultivate the soil. And create a loose soil for the seed to lay in here you see a difference between high mowing and then on the right side the short mowing.
Should you dethatch before slice seeding?
Definitely. It works much better when you remove the clippings from dethatching. If you mulch mow before overseeding, you might not get as good seed to soil contact. I've tried both ways, and removing all clippings by bagging worked better.
How much should I water my lawn after seeding?
It is best to water the grass seedlings 2 to 3 times a day for about 5 to 10 minutes each time. This way you replace any water that has evaporated without oversaturation. It amounts to 3-4 inches of water per week. Once the grass seeds germinate, you should water for a longer period once a day.
Should I aerate my lawn before slit seeding?
Grass seed is delivered directly into the slices by means of feeder tubes mounted adjacent to the slicing discs. This ensures soil to seed contact which is essential for adequate germination. The best results occur when core aeration is performed first.
What does slice seeding do?
Slice seeding is the best renovation technique for repairing damaged sections of turf or areas that need complete turf replacement. Slice seeding is done with a machine that slices into the ground and deposits seed into the slit giving direct seed to soil contact.
What is slit seeding?
Slit-seeding is a mechanical method of planting grass seed that combines a bit of dethatching with seeding. A row of blades that resemble stars dig down into the soil, creating slits in the ground. This process opens up the thatch — the layer of dead grass, old roots, and other organic matter that builds up between the soil and the grass.
Why is my lawn not getting water?
If your lawn needs aeration and you don't do it, water won't penetrate deeply. So your lawn’s roots will shrink and come to the surface, looking for water. This weakens the root system, and it won’t be able to tolerate summer’s heat and drought. As your grass dies off, weeds will fill in, and can quickly take over your entire lawn.
How does aeration work?
Aeration uses a machine to pull out tiny cores of soil from your lawn, allowing water and oxygen to get to the roots. Now, your lawn’s roots can grow nice and deep, producing a lush, healthy carpet of green.
Can you slit seed a lawn?
If your lawn is thin and patchy, slit-seeding will get grass seed off to a great start, so your lawn can start to fill in quickly. New properties that have been planted well may be able to go for years without this type of extra attention.
What is the best tool to water grass?
As part of your lawn care, there are a variety of tools and automatic systems to help you in watering grass. One of the simplest tools is a long-bladed screwdriver. If you cannot insert the screwdriver into your soil, the soil is extremely dry, and the grass should be watered.
How many degrees does a sprinkler head spray?
There are many different types of sprinkler heads to serve various needs. Some spray 360 degrees, some just 180 or 90 degrees for edges and corners. Some heads pop up and then recede to ground level. Ideally, your in-ground sprinkler system should be designed with “hydrozone separation” in mind.
How to know when to put in 1 inch of water?
To help you determine when you’ve applied 1 inch of water, put out some straight-sided containers around your yard. Tuna cans work well. Turn on a timer and turn on your watering system. Monitor them, and when they are filled with 1 inch of water, turn off the water. Be sure to time how long it takes to fill the containers so you’ll know how long to leave the sprinkler on each time you are watering grass. See “Keep Your Grass Healthy With a Lawn Sprinkler Audit” for more details.
Why does my lawn green up after rain?
Essentially, the grass is taking a break from growing. If your lawn is in a dormant period, it will start to green up as temperatures cool off and after receiving several days of rain. Some species of grass are quicker to perk back up than others.
Why does my lawn turn brown in the summer?
During summer’s hottest days, your lawn may take on a tan or brown appearance, making it look dead. However, many Northern cool-season grasses go through a dormant period not only in winter months but also in summer months. Essentially, the grass is taking a break from growing. If your lawn is in a dormant period, it will start to green up as temperatures cool off and after receiving several days of rain.
What is an oscillating sprinkler?
Oscillating sprinkler. At its simplest, the oscillating sprinkler has a metal or plastic bar with holes drilled in it. Water comes out the holes as the bar rocks back and forth and sprinkles the lawn with a gentle spray. You control the size of the area at the source, by adjusting the water volume at the faucet.
How does a lawn sprayer work?
It is a metal or plastic vessel with small holes in it that fits at the hose end. The pressure of the water forced through the small holes sprays the lawn. The pattern of spray is determined by the pattern of holes, the volume is controlled at the faucet. To change the area of coverage, you drag it around the lawn.
What is the first thing to do when preparing a lawn for slit seeding?
Preparing The Lawn For Slit Seeding. The first thing to do in preparing the lawn for slit seeding is to get rid of the weeds. The definition of a weed is any plant that is growing where it’s not wanted. In some lawns, this is a simple task of digging up dandelions.
How often should I water a seed slice?
How To Water A Seed Sliced Lawn. Watering after slice seeding is different from watering after new sod installation. For the first three weeks , the newly planted lawn should be watered lightly every day. At this point, saturating the soil is not a good idea, as the seeds will wash away.
What is a slice seeder machine?
A slice seeder machine is not a hand-operated like the lawn seed hopper. It is a powered machine with steel blades that do the slicing. To use this machine, it is important to read the instructions and follow them. Make sure to use appropriate safety gear and keep small children and pets out of the area.
How does a slice seeding machine work?
The slice seeding machine cuts grooves into the soil in order to plant the seed. Not only does this help it to take root, but it also helps to prevent birds and other wild animals from taking off with the seeds. It is estimated that the grass seed will germinate about sixty percent faster with this method than broadcasting by hand.
What is the last step before slice seeding?
Others may need seeds that can handle precipitation on a regular basis. The last step before slice seeding is to estimate the amount of seed and the rate of its flow. For those new to this process, spend some time talking to the nursery or seed supply store to get the formula.
How high should a lawn mower blade be?
The first mowing should be done when the lawn needs it. However, be sure that the lawnmower blade height is returned to three point five inches, or whatever the setting is for the grass seed chosen.
What is the difference between a seed slicer and an overseer?
Difference Between A Seed Slicer And An Overseeder. There is very little difference between the two machines. Both of them do the same thing, although the overseeder has a broom and mechanism to push the seed out into the groove. Both do the same job, and each has an advantage.
When to aerate and seed your lawn?
The optimal window to receive aeration and seeding or overseeding opens at the end of August and runs through the end of October. It is not recommended to aerate and seed your lawn outside of this timeframe.
What is aeration and seeding?
Aeration and seeding is a service designed for cool season grasses like fescue. Warm season grasses also benefit from aeration, but do not require seeding and should receive service during the summer months. You may also hear seeding referenced as “overseeding”. The optimal window to receive aeration and seeding or overseeding opens at the end ...
Where is canopy lawn care located?
Canopy is a full service, tech-enabled, and eco-friendly lawn care and maintenance company headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Our mission is to build and maintain healthy, beautiful lawns in an environmentally responsible manner.
What is slice seeding?
Slice seeding is aptly named as such because this method utilizes a steel bladed machine that slices into the yard. These slices create what we call furrows in your soil. Afterward, the machine places grass seeds into the furrows.
Why is aeration important for lawns?
In addition, grass roots can grow deeper giving it more durability to last through winter. Aeration also gives your lawn the ability to better absorb rainfall and reduce stormwater runoff.
Why does grass need to breathe?
It needs to breathe so that grass roots can properly absorb nutrients and water to survive. Without getting to breathe, your grass can become weak and an involuntary victim to disease and weeds. What aeration does is quite unique because it provides air to the soil by perforating small holes into the grass.
Can holes in grass cause aeration?
However, when it comes to aeration, holes are the main attraction. Over the course of time, the soil under your grass can become compacted and tough. This can cause serious growth impairments in your lawn. As with almost anything living, if there’s no oxygen, there’s no life. Your grass is not much different in this aspect.
Types of smart irrigation systems
There are two main types of smart irrigation systems: weather-based systems and soil moisture-based systems. The type that’s right for you depends on several factors, including the weather patterns in your area and the landscape of your property.
Features
Many modern smart irrigation systems can be controlled remotely from a mobile device. You can download an app for your Android or Apple device or access control via a web browser. These features can be used alongside other systems (like video monitoring) for added convenience.
Smart irrigation system prices
The least-expense smart systems cost roughly $100 to $150. These systems feature the basic components of any smart irrigation system, such as WiFi and mobile phone connectivity. The main factor that keeps costs low for these systems is a simplistic controller interface.
Tips
It’s highly recommended that consumers pair their smart irrigation system with water-efficient sprinkler heads or nozzles. Many of these nozzles feature thicker water streams that are wind resistant and deliver a more uniform distribution of water.
Other products we considered
We came across several systems that didn’t quite make our final list but are still top-notch and worth a look. The RainMachine Pro-8 creates a smart irrigation system that can connect via WiFi and Ethernet. The great part about this controller is that it’s cloud independent, which means that personal irrigation data is stored locally.