Do you aerate in the Spring?

[nick21]

why or why not? I am going to real soon and I am guessing it wont matter if it is before or after I spread some fert+preM

[turfcobob]

Studies done by major turfgrass Universities have shown that you can aerate before during or after PreM with no problems.

I always advise people to aerate new customers in the spring rather than the fall. It is the old satisfaction for money spent thing. When you aerate customers especially new ones, you can fert and water right behind the aeration and they will see quick green results. This makes them feel good about the money spent. It is equally good and maybe. better for the plant to do it in the fall. But a new customer does not want to pay that much just to see it go brown for 5 months...Get my point. To make spring aeration even more impressive mow the grass extra short, Aerate with several passes, fert and water.
The quick new growth will really give your customers satisfaction for money spent. Then put signs in the lawn advertising who did it. Then put plugs in door hanger bags along with a note and quote ( make the quote personal and in writing something like" Hi my name is Bob I will aerate your lawn for $75") then hang them on all the neighbors doors. Then be ready to answer the phone

[cgaengineer]

Then put signs in the lawn advertising who did it. Then put plugs in door hanger bags along with a note and quote ( make the quote personal and in writing something like" Hi my name is Bob I will aerate your lawn for $75") then hang them on all the neighbors doors. Then be ready to answer the phone

Only do this if you have a productive machine! If you have a Classen like me, hope nobody calls.

[AI Inc]

The bluebirds are no bargain either. Even with our $100 minimum, its the toughest money made. Definatly not something I want to do all day.

[nick21]

It is just for my yard so there is no business aspect. Does the grass benefit from Spring aeration at all? I have the tractor and a 3pt aerator so it is very easy to do.

[AI Inc]

Yes , If it was my own lawn I would do spring and early sept. One of the main reasons we dont do a lot in spring is because lawns can be real soft and damage easily.

[cgaengineer]

The bluebirds are no bargain either. Even with our $100 minimum, its the toughest money made. Definatly not something I want to do all day.

Are we doing something wrong AI? I mean, these machine are very popular and they are back breakers. I have a very small front lawn and I have been working on it for 2 nights to get enough holes...I have gotten about 4-5 hours in it so far.

I looked at the Bluebirds and they looked like they were made in the same factory as the Classen. I will hire out any aeration jobs that I have and stick to using my Classen on my own lawn. My next aerator will be something self propelled and cam driven. When I do this I will sell my Classen to one of my enemy's.

[AI Inc]

We usualy do it late aug. If for no other reason then we are always slow then. My employees will do it and not *****, but if I was to ask them to do it when we had other work they would laugh at me. Last spring , my service guy ( who will do it during aug no complaints) even payed the hole digger to do his yard. The staright runs are easy , its the turning that tweaks ya forearms.

[cgaengineer]

We usualy do it late aug. If for no other reason then we are always slow then. My employees will do it and not *****, but if I was to ask them to do it when we had other work they would laugh at me. Last spring , my service guy ( who will do it during aug no complaints) even payed the hole digger to do his yard. The staright runs are easy , its the turning that tweaks ya forearms.

My problem on the straight runs is hitting the same holes twice (Like beside the driveway). My method of use probably differs from yours AI. How I operate the aerator is I get it going and just drive all over the lawn without stopping and choosing different paths to go over. If you can make large radius turns you can keep it going without stopping and run over areas that have not been punched. You kinda have to plan your next path ahead of time before you do this to make sure you are in a place that will give you room to turn, if not you are lifting the handle on the aerator to pickup tines so you can start over.

[AI Inc]

We circle the prop then to the 1/2 , almost like a zamboni does the ice.

[cgaengineer]

It is just for my yard so there is no business aspect. Does the grass benefit from Spring aeration at all? I have the tractor and a 3pt aerator so it is very easy to do.

Which type of grass do you have? Ultimately you should wait until the grass is growing its fastest so the lawn recovers quickly, but if you don't mind some holes in your yard for a few weeks then you are fine.

[cgaengineer]

We circle the prop then to the 1/2 , almost like a zamboni does the ice.

Explain????

[AI Inc]

Run circles starting at street when coming up the side dont go right to the house , but down the middle of the lawn. As you move one row in from street , ya move 1 row closer to the house.

[AI Inc]

Kinda like this, dont criticize my 2 second elementry drawing.

[cgaengineer]

Kinda like this, dont criticize my 2 second elementry drawing.

I understand now with that very technical drawing! That is very similar to how I do it. The main thing is to keep that thing moving!

[turfcobob]

I do it just like AI Inc says with the zamboni turns. Since I am with Turfco I use the Turnaer with a sulky chariot and my acre takes me an hour to do it twice. Just kick it in go at 5 mph and ride. I have steel rods up my back and I can do the whole thing without hurting my back. Pretty good for an old dude.

[nick21]

It is fescue. Thanks for all the feedback!

[signature lawns]

Studies done by major turfgrass Universities have shown that you can aerate before during or after PreM with no problems.

I thought that too until spring 2006. I already had the pre-m down, and did a aeration after...ended up with a ton of crabgrss. Now, I will do it in the fall when there is much less weed pressure. I'm a believer in not breaking the pr-m barrier once its down. Generally the pre-m goes down before the grass is actively growing (which is when you want to aerate) So for me in Wisconsin fall is best.