Fert and dog question

[kjslawn]

Guys I have a new customer that asked me what they should put on there yard. I have aerated and overseeded. Now they want to put down a pre-emergant plus starter fertilizer somthing new from scotts. The problem is she has dogs and I told her I would ask you all to see if it would be ok.

[MrRob]

forget about the dog, you cant put down both pre-emerganet when you over seed. bad combination.

& yes, keep the dogs off the fertilizer until it gets soaked in after a good rain.

[BlackDog3]

When have you aerated and over seeded though? If you did it in the fall and it germinated you shouldn't have a problem with the pre emergence in the spring. If you just did it now, well you shouldn't do anything with pre emergence. You gonna kill all the seed. Also your not gonna get good results with spring over seeding, so i would recommend re doing it in early fall. As for the dog, i agree with the above. If the dog is white, the paws may turn yellow. i have seen that before.

Chris

[kjslawn]

forget about the dog, you cant put down both pre-emerganet when you over seed. bad combination.

& yes, keep the dogs off the fertilizer until it gets soaked in after a good rain.

Why is Scotts selling a pre-emergant plus starter fert in one bag?

[kjslawn]

When have you aerated and over seeded though? If you did it in the fall and it germinated you shouldn't have a problem with the pre emergence in the spring. If you just did it now, well you shouldn't do anything with pre emergence. You gonna kill all the seed. Also your not gonna get good results with spring over seeding, so i would recommend re doing it in early fall. As for the dog, i agree with the above. If the dog is white, the paws may turn yellow. i have seen that before.

Chris

Aerated last week I know fall is the best but the back yard is a dust bowl in the summer I am trying to get somthing to grow so I can see through the dust

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

Forget the work totally.
If they are dogs that run the yard a lot, you will not grow a good stand of grass.
Mutts and grass don't mix.

[BlackDog3]

Well do the dogs destroy the yard? IF they don't, recommend sodding! Its instant gratification!

Chris

[kjslawn]

this is in the back yard dogs dont spend to much time back there

[BlackDog3]

I would definitely recommend sod then, it will cost more up front but the customer will be so much happier with the result.

Chris

[kjslawn]

This is a 2 acre yard

[jbturf]

sounds like u might be talking about using starter fert with siduron?

[BlackDog3]

Thats a huge yard... i can recommend large rolls haha. Wow thats a big project. Maybe you could do the sod close to the house and then where its really open just seed it and see what happens.

[RigglePLC]

Scotts product with siduron (Tupersan) is fine for new grass. There are several similar brands of starter fert with siduron for new seed. Costs about double, and the pre-emerge does not last long. Look carefully at the label--if it does not say "Keep dogs off." you are probably OK. Just the same, I would follow the rules for people. It probably says "Water-in; keep off till dry."

Its very early for grass seed. What kind of seed? What is soil temp? Plant about the time of first mowing to be sure soil temp is high enough.

[Smallaxe]

If you are going to use starter and siduron, consider the optimum for watering on both situations and set the system accordingly.
Follow directions and you can be as professional as the Scott's Customer HO.
Good luck. :)

[mngrassguy]

About the dogs....I would tell them that as long as they are using a granular product there shouldn't be any problem. As long as the granules are spread evenly across the lawn, they would be VERY difficult for the dogs to pick up. The dogs would have to eat several cup fulls of granuals to get sick let alone enough to hurt them.

The problem they are going to see getting grass to grow this time of year is getting enough water to that large of an area. In most areas, it gets too hot and dry for seed to grow in the spring. Water, water, water.

I would keep checking on the lawn for the next several months to make sure it's getting enough water. If it's not and you don't warn them, you could get blamed for it not growing.

[mow2nd]

Scott does have a product that will prevent crabgrass and not hurt your new seed, I can't think of what it's called but it doesnt harm your new grass. It's pretty pricey and for 2 acres, I'd hate to see that bill.

[mngrassguy]

Scott's Starter Fertilizer with Pre-emergent. Made with Siduron, also sold as Tupersan. Greenview sells it for $48.00, 5,000 sq ft/bag. Ouch