10
85363-85364 Rev B
NEW LAWN ON OPEN SOIL
A.
Be sure the lawn is level and free of all stones and debris. The final grade and slope should be established
before seeding. The soil should be rather soft but does not have to be tilled. Firm soil is better than too soft.
B
. Set LS–22 blade depth adjustment setting so the blades are just into the soil 3 mm to 6 mm (1/8” to 1/4” inch).
Do not attempt to bury the seed - seed planted too deep will be lost.
C.
Seed the lawn in a cross pattern.
NOTE 1:
To assure accurate seed application, set the LS–22 seed gate dial to the approximate setting as shown
on the seed application chart (inside lid of seed hopper). Go over all the lawn one complete time. When you
have made one complete pass over all the lawn, weigh the seed to see how much was used. Readjust the
seed gate dial setting accordingly. If more than 50% of the seed has been used, then reset the seed dial for
less. If less than 50% has been used, reset the seed dial for more.
D.
Cover the newly seeded lawn with some type of cover to protect the new plants and seeds. If field straw is
used, expect to fight some weeds.
OVERSEEDING INTO AN EXISTING LAWN
A.
Mow the lawn shorter than normal by at least 12 mm inch (1/2”). Actual scalping of the lawn is best, it retards
the existing growth. Make sure the lawn is free of all debris and rocks.
NOTE 2:
Test the thatch level of the lawn using a soil sampler or a knife (you can pull a plug from the lawn just
like a core aerator). If the thatch on the lawn is 19 mm to 25.5 mm (3/4” to 1” inch thick) the thatch should be
removed before attempting to seed the lawn. Too much thatch will keep the new plants from taking root.
B.
It is best to soften the soil by extensive aeration before seeding. Aerate 10 to 14 holes per square foot (100 to
150 holes per square meter). Leave the cores to be broken up by the LS–22 Lawn Seeder blades.
C.
Set the LS–22 blade depth so the blades are cutting through the thatch and 3 mm (1/8”) into the soil. Do not
set the blades too deep as damage can occur to the LS–22 causing short blade life and poor seeding results.
Do not attempt to bury the seed.
D.
See Note 1.
Seed in a diamond pattern making two passes across the yard. The diamond pattern gives a
better appearance and a quicker fill in of new plants. For safety reasons, only operate the seeder across a
slope (maximum 15° degrees slope). Never operate up or down a slope.
E.
A week after seeding, you can again mow the lawn (mow shorter than normal) to retard the existing growth
and give the new plants a running start. This is also a good time to fertilize with a good starter fertilizer. Follow
directions closely.
AFTER CARE OF NEWLY SEEDED LAWN
Water daily, lightly getting the first 25.4 mm (1 inch) of soil wet. In hot dry conditions, watering twice a day
may be needed.
When the new plants appear (number of days will depend on the type of grass planted) water deeper. Water
up to two inches every day. This will quickly drive the roots deeper.
Two weeks after the new plants appear, start deep watering 75 mm to 100 mm (3” to 4” inches) every 3 days
until the grass has been mowed twice. Then you can return to your regular watering schedule.
FERTILIZE THE NEW LAWN
Use a “new lawn” fertilizer following the manufactures directions. The lawn specialist at your local lawn
and garden nursery will know what is best for the type of grass, climate and the time of year. You can also
check with your local University Turf Grass Extension Agent.
Do Not Use the LS–22 Lawn Seeder to Apply
Fertilizers, Weed Killers, or Lawn Foods.
Lawn Seeding
LAWN SEEDING
