Aeration Question

[Premo Services]

I will be doing aerations this season, and I have a question. One of my customers did some extensive sod work in June. When can new sod be aerated? Also what would be the benifits of aerating new sod, I know that some of it has died in spots, that will benefit, but what about the healthy sod?

[Eric ELM]

It will stimulate root growth by getting air, water, and fertilizer down to the roots on an established lawn. I've never aerated a newly sodded lawn though, so I can't tell you the results, but it would seem like it would be the same as an established lawn. Developing roots is very important with sod.

[Premo Services]

I will be aerating the rest of his lawn, and he wants me to do the sod also, but I don`t know if it will hurt the sod. I don`t want to have to replace all that sod. :confused:

[Chuck Sinclair]

You say it was put in in june, and you will areate in September or October no problem doing it then it should be well rooted by then.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Well mow money you might have a problem with the sod rolling up in the aerater. The roots are going to be the only thing holding it down. I would think your best bet is to go around it and wait till next spring to aerate it.

PS I would like to hear what others say on this.

LGF:blob1:

[HBFOXJr]

If it doesn't hold now there is a big fertility problem. We're talking months here, not weeks.

The roots of the turf are always the only things that holds it down, except for gravity or atmospheric pressure. But I like roots best.

Grab a hold of a chunk of good stuff and see if it pulls up.

[Premo Services]

LGF That was one of my concerns, pulling the sod up with the aerator.



HBFOXJr If it doesn't hold now there is a big fertility problem.
We're talking months here, not weeks.
The roots of the turf are always the only things that holds it down, except for gravity or atmospheric pressure.
But I like roots best.

Grab a hold of a chunk of good stuff and see if it pulls up.
[QUOTE]

I like that answer, and I did pull the sod and it is good and tight. My concern was that it might ruin the new sod, but since it is growing well, and developing a good root system, there shouldn`t be a problem, and help with developing roots, etc.
I have talked to the customer and told him that if the new sodded areas are ruined, I could not be
responsible for them. We have decided to only do the established areas this time.
Thanks for the help!!!!! :D

[HBFOXJr]

Lets logic this out a little more. The sod was "established" before it was cut and relocated. It is now firmly rooted and will not pull up.

What possible harm could be done??? My vote would have been to aerate it and keeping growing strong.

[racerdave]

I don't understand.
The sod was installed in June. and I'm sure it's well established, but whats the point of aerating it now? If all the prep work was done correctly, wouldn't it be good for 1 or 2 seasons before this is needed? I would sure try to talk to the owner about the need for this. Perhaps the owner will still want it done, but never the less, he should know.

It's probably just me. I hate doing unnecessary work., or doing work over....whether being paid or not..

BTW If the customer insists, I would do it. But I would not guarantee that the sod would be ok.

David

[MOW ED]

I agree with racerdave, I wouldn't aerate it unless it has been severely compacted over its short life. I believe if you talk to the customer and educate him you will build a better relationship and secure many jobs in the future. Definately aerate the established turf for all the reasons stated above but I'd leave the sod until next year. Just my 2.

[smburgess]

No problem, aerate it all.
It will only help since the sod only has about an inch of soil on it and you're looking to relieve compaction down as far as 4". This will allow even better root development over the winter months.

[Premo Services]

Update:
I talked with the customer, and told him that I thought it would be better, because I didn`t want to do something if no real good was to come of my efforts, or would do damage to his sod. I was being a little on the conserveative side, but thats the way I am. He called me tonite and said after talking to his wife and neighbors, he really appreciated that I didn`t want to do the sod just to make more money. He said that he recommended me to his neighbors, and 4 of them have called me to give prices to aerate their lawns. I am happy, and most important The CUSTOMER IS HAPPY!!!!!
Thanks again for the advice.......
After reading the posts when I got home, I realized that it wouldn`t damage the sod, but I was able to get 4 more aerating jobs, and possibly 4 new lawn cutting customers next year.

[GroundKprs]

Most cool season university recommendations on aeration include the aeration of ROOTED sod to enhance rooting. Of course stay off of newly laid sod with an aerator, but sod that has knitted to soil will be helped by aeration. You cannot damage the sod in any way by aeration, only help it. While the sod may be rooted, so it cannot be pulled up by hand or aerator, the aeration will help establish a deeper, denser root system sooner.

[GreenStar]

if it was put down in june do an aeration in late september
over seed with a quality seed mix something with disease or bug resistance(it's relative to your climate) throw one pound of
10-20-20 then throw 1/2 pond of 5-20-20 when it's dormant.this will really fill in any bare spots from this years drought.if it's a chemlawn yard use a tin rake to dethatch in the spring and always aerate in the fall.you'll get the most root development when soil temps are 50-60 degrees