5 Comments

  1. Tyson Lang

    Thank you for the helpful article. I’m in Overland Park and had planned on verticutting and overseeding a few months ago. A busy schedule of work out of town prevented this – so, I didn’t get it done. My question: I assume it’s much too late to verticutt and seed now (10/28) so I was curious if it would be possible or beneficial to do this in the spring. I’ve been told that’s not a good idea as I wouldn’t be able to weed prevent after overseeding. Thoughts? Thank you again.

    -Tyson Lang

  2. Steven

    Hello. After reading your article several things or…why’s/why not’s….became a little clearer to me. However I do have a few questions.

    Above in your article about verticutting, in the 3rd paragraph you said “For what it’s worth, my lawn is verticut perpendicular to the street, thatch collected and removed, then cut in a 45 degree then distributing the seed.”…am I understanding correctly that you verticutted in ONLY ONE direction, removed the thatch, cut with a mower at 45% then planted seed? Did you not verticut again at the 45% angle to the first verticut, removed thatch, then reseed?

    Also what kind of seed do you use or is it up to the customer? I live in Olathe.

    Thanks for giving this your time and assistance. I am planning to rejuvinate my lawsn this season and I’m researching what different lawn companies have to offer.

    Would love to hear from you soon

  3. Amy Johnston

    Great article….just what I needed. We are overseeding this year and using the verticutter to do so. It has been recommended to cut one way, rake, seed, then cut the other way, then fertilize. From what I read in your article, you recommend seeding after 2 passes and raking…am I reading that correct? Thank you. – Amy

  4. Dave

    It really depends on how much thatch your yard is producing when passing over it with the verticutter. On many lawns we see too much thatch left over even on the second pass so that is why we do what we do. If you are creating much thatch on the second pass then it is perfectly acceptable to do it per your recommendation. We just don’t like to see the seed get lost in the thatch of the second pass. Thanks for the inquiry. -Dave

  5. Bryan

    I like the article but I do somewhat disagree with it. I’ve experimented with all sorts of different techniques and have found doing both gives the best results. My neighbor follows a similar process (1-5 and 7) but then he loses focus and does a few things I think are stupid (i.e. he doesn’t water much and he mowed 3 days after the process). We still have 2 of the best lawns in the neighborhood though.

    1. Mow lower than normal. Not a full scalp but mow low.
    2. Verticut in ONE (1) direction using a machine that drops the seed as it goes. Go across a slopes not up and down. It makes miniature channels. When I water later, I don’t water rushing down the channels and possibly taking seed with it. It might not be a big deal but I have to pick 1 direction so I always go across slopes.
    3. I don’t have a thatch problem but any noticeable areas of thatch gently rake or pick up.
    4. Core Aerate at a 45-90 degree angle to the verticut. My yard looks nothing like dust after this process.
    5. Using a drop or broadcast spreader, spread more seed.
    6. Using the same spreader, spread gypsum (I have heavy nasty clay soil).
    7. Using the same spreader, spread starter fertilizer.
    8. Water in small amounts 4-6 times per day (~1 inch total per day), every day for ~2 weeks.
    9. Water once per day (~1 inch), every day for 1 week.
    10. Water once every 3 days (~1 inch) for 1 week.
    11. Start mowing. It has been 4 weeks since the last mow so you have to mow high and mow every 3-4 days slowly lowering the mower until you get back to normal mow height. Make sure you bag too. No mulching for a few weeks. Cut water back to the normal once per week (~1 inch).
    12. After another 2-4 weeks (6-8 weeks total) put another round of winter formulated fertilizer.

    I did it again this year and I am almost to the 4 week mark now. The yard is looking thick and green. I can’t wait to do the first cut this weekend.

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