Aerating & sanding bermuda grass

[lawnfire]

I have a customer that wants the lawn aerated, and sanded. They are under the impression that if you aerate, and then sand, the sand will fill the plugged holes, and benefit the lawn. I am not familiar with sanding, and aerating. I want to take on the job, but what should I do first, sand, or aerate, or do as the customer ask?

[Fantasy Lawns]

the aeratation is to decompact the soil surface (it pulls plugs up to 3 inches deep out of the ground n' drops em right there ...... on our putting green we remove em' but most people just let em' break down on larger turf areas ) ....this allows the top dressing (we use yellow sand) to mix with the existing soil which helps promote better root growth for a healthly lawn ;->

[NateinAtl]

lawn fire,

aerate first sand second. Get a good understanding from the customer what they are looking for. Are they wanting sand because they were told they needed it, or do they know what they are talking about. If they are wanting sanding to level out their lawn and get rid of thatch. this is what you do.

Scalp to 1/2 inch. aerate deep. sand with river sand and smooth it out as if you were icing a cake. Water like crazy.

If the customer doesn't have an irrigation system, I would be careful, because that hot river sand can kill a lawn just as quickly as it makes it nice. Find out if they plan to reel mow or not. Are you mowing their lawn? If not, make sure they either have a weekly service, or are mowing on a weekly basis themselves. There is a fine line that you must walk if you are topdressing a lawn.. Turfco makes a topdressing machine that everyone around here is using--it runs about $5,500. If you want me to put you in touch with a buddy of mine that owns a sanding company here in the metro area let me know.

You really need to fully understand this process before you take it on. A very profitable service if leveling is what they are wanting.

just reply here or email me at teaters@mindspring.com if you have any questions, or would want to sub it out

[redcis]

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[65hoss]

I never recommend sand. Main reason is sand and clay make concrete. A better suggestion would be organic matter put down for the residential lawns. Golf courses are managed much better and the turf gets EVERYTHING IT NEEDS. Unlike residential lawns.