Aeration in Florida.. When is the best time?

[bugguy8]

I am thinking of doing Aeration and De-thatching.

When is the best time of year or what months are best to do Aeration?

How many times a year can it be done and still be use full ?

How much do you charge for Aeration and how much for De-thatching?

Thanks

[dave k]

There is no need to aerate sandy soil, it perks just fine, most sod in Fl. doesn't need dethatching either, unless its Bahia, IMHO

[fl-landscapes]

Originally Posted by dave k

There is no need to aerate sandy soil, it perks just fine, most sod in Fl. doesn't need dethatching either, unless its Bahia, IMHO

No thatching???? Zoysia st augustine and bermuda all need regular thatching!! Bahia needs it the least...it needs iron supplement a lower pH and overseeding. Lot of golf courses wasting money aerating all the time.

[bugguy8]

Thanks for the advice....

Anyone else have any good advice?

[fl-landscapes]

Originally Posted by bugguy8

Thanks for the advice....

Anyone else have any good advice?

The time to aerate is when you have compacted areas of soil. There is no season for it really just a rememdy to soil compaction in florida. If your doing pre-m on the turf you may want to aerate prior because you will bring up weed seed and break the barrier you formed with the pre-m.

[bugguy8]

Thanks Fl-Landscapes..... Good Advice.......

[fl-landscapes]

Originally Posted by bugguy8

Thanks Fl-Landscapes..... Good Advice.......

No problem. As far as verti-cutting goes just be sure to do it during the growing season so it recovers quickly. If you do it during the winter months the turf will not look good for a longer period of time and it's not healthy for the turf to stress it out and not have it be able to recover.

[bugguy8]

Verti-Cutting? Sorry, Im not up to par on the Lawn care Lingo yet.

Are you referring to Aeration?

And what should I look for in an Aerator so I know its a good piece of equipment that will benefit the customer the most?

[fl-landscapes]

verti-cutting is one way of de-thatching a lawn and in my opinion the best way. There are power rakes but I don't think the do as good a job especially on St augustine grass. I would do a search on this site about aerators and you'll find a ton of info but definitly look at the "lawn solutions" aerator. It looks great!

[bugguy8]

Thanks..... I will check out veri-cutting.

Is that what you are doing?