After Verticutting

bps – posted 15 October 2006 15:19

Hello —

First and foremost, this is a great forum! I’ve read through dozens of posts and have found them to be very helpful. As I gain more experience, I hope to return the favor one day.

I just finished verticutting and laying seed (tall fescue) for an overseeding of my lawn in Derby, Kansas. Should I leave the grass debris that the verticutter pulled up on top of the lawn? I suspect I should, or else I may rake up the new seed that was just laid. I also suspect that the grassy debris that is on the surface will protect the seeds/new seedlings and help to trap moisture…which is critical during the germination period.

Am I correct in my thinking?

Thanks!

Bryan

tommy – posted 16 October 2006 14:54

You can leave the grass clippngs unless the layer is too thick. If you have big clumps of grass laying around- germination will be spotty.

bps – posted 17 October 2006 18:08

Thanks!

cohiba – posted 22 October 2006 09:26

I prefer to remove the debris. What I usually do is seed, verticut, drag with a dragmat or a piece of fence and rake up the debris. Thatch doesn’t break down as well as green debris would, so it may just work its way down to the soil level. I think it looks better either raked or mowed and bagged.

my 2 cents…………………….