Last year I mowed too late during the summer and the weeds never recovered. I didn't have much to mow down when it came time to plant so I had to try something different. We sprayed what was left and let it die for a few weeks. Then we spread the seed, fertilizer and lime on top of the thatch left over from the summer. I gently pulled the disk across it with the gangs in a non-aggressive position. I also had a drag behind my disk. I was trying get the seed through the thatch and not turn the thatch under. The disk did scratch the surface of the soil. Even though it wasn't an actual throw and mow plot, it sure looked like one and was still a big time saver.

Untitled by bambam32, on Flickr
Untitled by bambam32, on Flickr
Untitled by bambam32, on Flickr