seeding & crab grass

[steve38]

last summer I removed a tree from my lawn. I now have a dirt circle. I want to seed. problem is that patches of dried up brown grass have formed. I belive it is crab grass. So I want to fertilize using a crab grass preventer without damaging new seed. Should I use a starter fertilizer with crab grass preventer. Or should I just fertilize and not seed. Or should I seed and not fertilize? Any advice would be appreciated.

[Lombardi]

Crab grass preventer is a pre-emergence. This will keep anything from germinating. I would apply the pre-m now, wait about 2 weeks, then seed that area applying starter fertilizer, cover with straw and water frequently.