aeration

[OrangeToys]

Originally Posted by Manscape

New to the site, don't bash me! I'll try and keep it short and sweet.

2nd year landscaping on my own
Growing quickly
Just purchased 42" Wildcat/Velocity Deck/ 26 Liquid Cooled/Collection System

I am being sold on the JRCO front mount Aerator and Dethatcher...

First, what do you think about these? Cheaper alternative obviously to two separate machines.

Second, when you aerate, (plugs) do you leave the plugs laying on the lawn?
Or would you bag them (cut the lawn) then seed?

The only bashing im gonna do is Scag doesn't make a 42" its a 48", i guess that was more of a correction. But I have seen the JRCO attachments work and they do a great job. I would have them, well atleast the aerater but im not spending 2k on it especially when i can rent a machine for a day for a few hundred if I had to.

[Smallaxe]

Aeration is best done with a smaller, more versatile and manueverable machine. Tractors and trees don't mix. Niether do plugs and tires - what a mess.

[santafe]

Originally Posted by xclusive

I have found that if you can explain to them how it benefits their lawn they will be more receptive. I have some elderly customers that are on strict budgets but they always have me thatch, aerate, and overseed their lawns every year.

from what i have read, your are not supposed to do it every year. i think most of my reading is like every third year.

side note: have you guys noticed alot of people posting with their guard up? i think this should be telling the moderators something.

[Smallaxe]

Originally Posted by santafe

from what i have read, your are not supposed to do it every year. i think most of my reading is like every third year.

side note: have you guys noticed alot of people posting with their guard up? i think this should be telling the moderators something.

The only guard I put up - is to make sure, that I don't just go off the deep end, in my ramblings. Sometimes, making the effort - helps.

Otherwise, you can't put a 'one size fits all' criteria on aeration. You do it when it is necessary. That is why it is good to understand - What aeration accomplishes.

[HISnHERS]

Originally Posted by Manscape

Second, when you aerate, (plugs) do you leave the plugs laying on the lawn?
Or would you bag them (cut the lawn) then seed?

Leave the plugs on the ground. They actually help break down the thatch layer and are and important component of the aeration process. Check out the link to american-lawns that FYS777 posted earlier - good info.

Also, this might sound like a simple no-brainer, but don't forget to sweep or blow any plugs that get onto the sidewalk or driveway back onto the lawn. You would be surprised at the number of LCO's that leave plugs strewn all over the walkways.

We do a bit of work in a golf course community that has some pretty pricey homes and a lot of chatty residents - in several instances we've been told that we got the aeration job because we left the walkways clean at the neighbors house. That simple deed in turn has opened doors for additional work.

Good luck to you.

[grassman177]

i agree, we blow off the plugs and seed and fert. well, anything that makes a mess on concrete from us