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While normally ryegrass germinates better when covered thinly by soil, Ryegrasses are often broadcast and watered regularly to achieve germination without being planted in soil.
The nature of the seed allows  germination with less soil contact than many other grasses.  Never the less, soil contact is still required to achieve best germination of this grass.

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PREPARATION: All preparations for planting any seed or placement of sod should begin with a soil test. The best seed no matter what the cost cannot perform without the nutrients needed.  Applying amendments after the planting is not nearly as good as application and mixing into the soil the first time around when planting complete new seedbeds for lawns or pastures. Next mow existing plant life as low as possible, or burn off or apply weed killer if necessary. Weed killers come in variations with time limits plainly printed on the instructions for replanting vegetation following application - Allow for the proper the wait time before planting seeds. One application may not be enough for certain weeds and types of weed killers work differently. Till or harrow the soil evenly, adding amendments needed evenly across the soil using a spreader.  Lightly till or harrow again to mix thoroughly, sow and pack seed the same day if possible to keep the soil  as moist as possible. Ryegrass will quickly germinate in any damp soil.

Overseeding processes are different. If ryegrass is to be planted on existing stands of lawns, pastures, and athletic fields; pre-existing grass density sometimes will determine the amount of seed sown. Dense, thick covers will get less soil contact than thinner stands. Watering immediately beforehand helps earlier establishment.   Bermuda grass and any thick creeping grass may require scarification of the soil to get  better seed to soil contact and when possible use a no-till drill to seed directly into the existing stand.  This is the best way to overseed larger pastures of really thick sods.  Scarification or aeration of the lawn / soil area will  increase the number of seeds germinating. Even a steel tooth rakeing of the planted area can increase seed to soil contact.  Broadcasting on thinner grasses is quite easy; apply fertilizer, water beforehand, water afterward until stand is established  and evenly spread with a hand spreader to avoid the clumpy, weedy look.

Lower maintenance lawns and pastures are simply broadcast for easy low cost coverage.  But always keep in mind that soil contact is required for your Ryegrass seed to germinate.  Higher maintenance areas usually get the full treatment preparation.

Although ryegrass is sown for many short term reasons, Don't just throw it everywhere. You probably don't want flower gardens, shrubbery or paving areas planted in ryegrass that would have to be weeded by hand. Plan  ahead and enjoy later.

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