Bump for ya

 

Trial and error is sometimes expensive when getting a picture perfect lawn. My advice would be plug aerate in 7 or eight different directions. Use 50 lbs of seed per 5000 sq ft. Use half the bag before you aerate, and then put down the other half after you aerate. Do this now and then again in the fall. Water in the seed afterwards. I don't use pesticides anymore I just aerate and overseed in this fashion. Now about every 2 years or so. I never mow below 3.5 inches no matter what kind of grass it is.

 

I am now using the money I used to spend on pesticides for seed. Growing a thick deep rooted turf is the best defense for weeds. I also use several different types of fescue seed, bluegrass, and ryegrass for my overseeds. :drinkup:

 

Use a pre-emergent in the spring to control crabgrass and other weeds. Spring is the only time you can/should do this.

Aerate in the fall (early) then broadcast the seed over the top. Fall is the best time to seed because the pre-emergent will have worn out and you won't need to water as much. 2-4 lbs/ 1000 sq feet is all you need.

 

Ok. Aerate and overseed now, as much seed as fiscaly responsible... I'd go 5-10 lbs per 1000. Water religiously and I mean I don't care if it is raining, water every day for two weeks for about 1 hour, then ever other day for one hour for two weeks, then once every 5 days for two hours. Fertilize with a 13-13-13 or 6-24-24 at 4 lbs per 1000 ft/2 if you can get it. Fertilize again at 2-4 lbs per 1000 ft/2. Wait 4-6 weeks then apply pre-emergent. There will be some replies about this being the wrong way. They haven't tried this method and take the book's word for it, I have done this at least 50 times and seed does great, with 80-90% of the lawn being crabgrass free in july august. pm if you have any questions.

 

With the premise that crabgrass germinates in the Spring and essentially remains dormant until June:
At what soil temp does crabgrass seed germinate....and, at what soil temp's do most grass-seed's germinate? Does crabgrass germinate that much later in the Spring?

How established must new turf be to withstand a dose of pre-emergent? And, should this be straight pre-emergent or pre-emergent with fertilizer?

I'm not doubting ML's results above - just a bit perplexed as to the timing of all this...

 

~bump~

I bolded the most important questions if anyone has answers...

With the premise that crabgrass germinates in the Spring and essentially remains dormant until June:
At what soil temp does crabgrass seed germinate....and, at what soil temp's do most grass-seed's germinate?

Does crabgrass germinate that much later (than grass-seed) in the Spring?

How established must new turf be to withstand a dose of pre-emergent?

And, should this be straight pre-emergent or pre-emergent with fertilizer?

I'm not doubting ML's results above - just a bit perplexed as to the timing of all this...

 

Crab and grass seeds both germinate approximately at the same time.

Pre-emergent depends widely on which pre you plan to use. Some can be used with seed (Tupersan), some you can use after mowing 2-3 times (Dimension). As always, read and follow the label.

Unless you have high volume spray equipment, Pre on fertilizer would be the product of choice.

 

Thank you.

 

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