View Messages

Return to Lawn Care

Slit Seeding

[Post a Follow Up] [Post to this category]
From: Mark C City: Bolingbrook, IL
I have some summer damage from last year that I would like to repair. I core aerated this weekend, and dropped some fertilizer. WHile aerating I noticed there are some patches where the roots were loose and I could pick up the top layer of the ground in big sections. (Sod lawn to begin with). Can I slit seed over those areas? Or should I pull out the sections? The only worry I have is the difference in the heights from the loss in the "sod" layer. Any advice would be appreciated. I really enjoy reading the questions and answers. Thanks for the site. Mark
	Extension Message From: James Schuster Horticulturist and Plant Pathologist (Retired) schuster@illinois.edu
If sod lifts easily, it would be better to remove it and seed or sod on the soil. If drop in height is more than 1/2 inch, consider addind a little to raise the height before seeding. If sod is used, it should be close in height to what you remove. With sod - core aerify the new sod in the fall to help break and inerface between sod and soil and to encourage deeper rooting.
[Post a Follow Up] [Post to this category]