[Dpatt07]

I just want to know what is a good time to aerate and over seed in the spring. I am looking to aerate a customers lawn next Tuesday. I will also be over seeing and putting down starter fertilizer for the seed. Am I doing this to early?? The reason I want to do it now is because I am planning on starter to cut the second or third week in April and I want to give the seed proper time to grow before the first cut of the season. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[RodneyK]

I will give this my best shot but someone may be correcting me on a couple things. You can seed now but I don't think the soil temp is high enough in your area for it to germinate. So, yes a little early. Aerating in the spring is also a bit risky as you open up the soil for weeds. You can aerate and then put down pre-emerge but then you really can't seed. With what you want to do fall is really just so much better. Plus, in the spring with all the top growth you will be having to cut every 4-5 days so you are going to be trampling over whatever seed does germinate.

If I HAD to do this sooner than later I would hold off on my pre-emerge, wait till late spring when all the crazy top growth has slowed down a bit and then probably slit-seed it two ways. But as said before fall is just so much better.

 

[GrassIsGreenerLawnCare]

i had a new customer call me for a aerating/seed job too yesterday. i was a bit suprised and explained to him that he would be alot happier with the results in the fall. he took my advice and i actually got a new bi-weekl cutting account out of it too! lol i could have been one of those guys who would have just done it anyway for the money, but i will make more off the biweekly cuts and hopefully have him to aerate in the fall. good luck man

 

[fazzy815-66]

I will give this my best shot but someone may be correcting me on a couple things. You can seed now but I don't think the soil temp is high enough in your area for it to germinate. So, yes a little early. Aerating in the spring is also a bit risky as you open up the soil for weeds. You can aerate and then put down pre-emerge but then you really can't seed. With what you want to do fall is really just so much better. Plus, in the spring with all the top growth you will be having to cut every 4-5 days so you are going to be trampling over whatever seed does germinate.

If I HAD to do this sooner than later I would hold off on my pre-emerge, wait till late spring when all the crazy top growth has slowed down a bit and then probably slit-seed it two ways. But as said before fall is just so much better.

I 'm with rodney k,even tho the temps have been pretty warm for march,fall is a much better time to seed. If the customer insists on it, I would stall as long as you can and be up front and honest with them. If you take the time to explain why you think it is a bad idea to do it now,in the long run the customer will find you more professional and trust you with more work.

 

[Dpatt07]

I talked to the customer today and explained that it would be better to wait until the fall. I also cut the first 6 feet of branches off of her pine trees in the back and cleaned around the trunks of the trees.... my next question is should I seed the bare spots around the trees now or wait until I overseed the whole yard in the fall?