How to Fertilize or Seed First With a Seed Slitter

Work the ground with a tiller if you are fertilizing and seeding a new lawn. Skip this step if you are adding fertilizer or overseeding an existing lawn.

Put fertilizer in the slitter's hopper. Set the flow rate of the fertilizer you plan to spread. Follow the recommendations on the fertilizer bag for the application amount. Adjust the slitter's cutting blades to the appropriate depth.

Start the seed slitter's engine. Engage the cutting blades. Walk slowly behind the slitter as you fertilize your lawn. Walk back and forth across the lawn to cover the entire lawn with fertilizer.

Empty any leftover fertilizer from the machine's hopper. Wipe out the hopper and wipe down the machine to remove all traces of the fertilizer. Long-term exposure to fertilizer can damage the hopper's metal.

Set the depth of the seed slitter's cutting blades, according to the type of grass seed you are using. Adjust the flow rate to half of the amount of seed you plan to put on your lawn. Put half of the seed in the machine's hopper.

Start the seed slitter and engage the cutting blades. Walk behind the slitter to sow the seed, going east and west.

Refill the machine when you empty the hopper. Cover the ground again, this time walking north and south.

Turn off the machine when you're done. Clean out the machine and wipe off any dirt that remains on the blades.