Phoenix stocks one dedicated overseeding fertiliser, so the decision here is not which product to buy. It is whether your turf actually needs this kind of feed right now, and how to put it down correctly once you have decided it does.

Why overseeding needs a different feed to routine maintenance

New seed dropped into an existing sward is competing with established grass for light, moisture and nutrients, so it needs help getting roots down fast rather than a general leaf-green feed. Velvit Essential 9-16-12 is built around that: the high phosphate content supports root development, aids establishment and helps with disease resistance while the sward knits back together. A routine feed weighted toward nitrogen would push leaf growth in the grass that is already there and do little for the seed trying to get a foothold underneath it.

Cut height decides whether this is the right feed

Velvit Essential is a standard release granular fertiliser, and it is priced as the cost-effective option for larger turf areas cut above 10mm, think parks, verges, general amenity turf and paddocks rather than fine turf. If you are overseeding greens or anything cut below 10mm, this is not the product. Ask about the slow release, methylene urea fertilisers in the pre-seeding range instead, since those are built for fine turf and feed for longer between applications.

Getting the rate and spread right

Granules are a uniform 2 to 3mm, so a broadcast spreader gives an even spread across the area rather than the patchy feed you get trying to hand-cast anything finer. Spread it before or shortly after overseeding, at the rate given on the bag for your turf type, and water in if rain is not forecast, since the phosphate needs to reach the root zone to do any good.

The one product for the job

Velvit Essential Pre-Seed and Over-Seeding Fertiliser (9-16-12) is the standard release, high phosphate feed for overseeding general amenity turf cut above 10mm. It doubles as Phoenix’s pre-seeding and pre-turfing fertiliser, so one bag covers all three jobs where a project involves more than one of them.

If the turf in question is fine turf, a green, or anything cut below 10mm, get in touch before ordering, since the standard release formula here is not the one to specify. For everything else, the product page has current pack sizes and pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Velvit Essential on fine turf or golf greens?

Not really. It is a cost-effective standard release feed for turf cut above 10mm, general amenity, parks and paddocks. Fine turf cut shorter needs a slow release, methylene urea fertiliser instead, which sits in the pre-seeding range.

When should I apply an overseeding fertiliser relative to sowing the seed?

Velvit Essential is described for pre-seeding, pre-turfing and overseeding, so it can go down just before seed goes in or shortly after, whichever suits the job. Water it in if rain is not forecast, since the phosphate needs to reach the root zone.

What spreader do I need to apply it?

Any broadcast spreader suited to granular fertiliser. Velvit Essential's granules are a uniform 2 to 3mm, so a standard broadcast spreader gives an even spread without extra calibration.