Aeration and seeding time.

#1
Coug

Coug

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#1
I've got a fescue lawn so it's the time of year to aerate and reseed. I'm not a rookie to the process by any means but I'm looking for some insight.

Is doing it this early into August really recommended? One of the worst things for newly sprouting grass is heat this time of year and it's not strange for Knoxville to have high heat well into September.

What is the importance of mowing just before aeration and reseeding and how low can you safely drop the blade on the mower, taking into account that it's still August?

The past couple years I've had Scott's do it with great results but they're a little higher priced. For roughly a 3500 sq ft backyard they quoted $162.50 which includes aeration and overseeding with their Scott's Thermal Blue fescue seed.

I realize the cheapest route would be doing it myself but I don't have a vehicle with a hitch nor a trailer to go and rent an aerator.

Any input is welcome!
 
#2
#2
Way to early to aerate and overseed for the Knoxville area. I did not aerate my customers yards until late September/early October last year. There are still way to many weeds germinating right now to poke holes in the ground and give them more venues to germinate. You need to wait until the ambient temps drop and the weeds stop producing seed pods. Plus fescue sprouts are very fragile, the August/ early September temps will kill them rather quickly.
 
#3
#3
coors40light said:
Way to early to aerate and overseed for the Knoxville area. I did not aerate my customers yards until late September/early October last year. There are still way to many weeds germinating right now to poke holes in the ground and give them more venues to germinate. You need to wait until the ambient temps drop and the weeds stop producing seed pods. Plus fescue sprouts are very fragile, the August/ early September temps will kill them rather quickly.
Click to expand...

This was also my thought about the heat.
 
#4
#4
check around locally and see if there's anyone who just does aerating. We have one close by that did mine for less than half of your quote (IIRC it was $70-80). They did the work requiring equipment and I did the rest
 
#5
#5
There is only two times a year to aerate and overseed, that is September and next September.

For $162 I would let Scot's do it, grass seed alone would cost you $75 to $100.
 
#6
#6
How important is aeration to one's yard and what exactly is it supposed to accomplish?
 
#8
#8
hog88 said:
There is only two times a year to aerate and overseed, that is September and next September.

For $162 I would let Scot's do it, grass seed alone would cost you $75 to $100.
Click to expand...

I agree, that is actually not too bad a price. Depending on your yard i could probably save you a little bit of money, but if you were happy with their service last year you should expect the same results this year.
 
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#9
#9
So would now be the time to spray some 24-D if I'm going to seed in late September/early October?
 
#10
#10
BigZiti09 said:
So would now be the time to spray some 24-D if I'm going to seed in late September/early October?
Click to expand...

You can spray that year round. If you do spray it watch your temps out side. 2-4-d loses some of it selectivity in hotter temps. May cut back on the rate by about 10%.

Allow 30 days after spraying before planting. Depending on the chemical you buy it could have a lingering effect for up to 30 days.

Mow 2 weeks after spraying.
 
#12
#12
Obsessed said:
You can spray that year round. If you do spray it watch your temps out side. 2-4-d loses some of it selectivity in hotter temps. May cut back on the rate by about 10%.

Allow 30 days after spraying before planting. Depending on the chemical you buy it could have a lingering effect for up to 30 days.

Mow 2 weeks after spraying.
Click to expand...

Odd. I was sure 2-4-d was in Ortho Weed-B-Gone Max however when I look at the MSDS it's not listed and Scott's AKA Ortho said that you could safely plant seed 2 weeks after spraying Weed-b-gon max. Unless I'm confusing 2-4-d with MCPA?

http://www.menards.com/msds/104754_001.pdf
 
#13
#13
Weed B Gon does have 2-4-D

Active Ingredients
2.13% Quinclorac, 6.42% 2,4-D, 0.60% Dicamba

I personally think this is a better product
View Product
it does a good job on crabgrass.
 
#14
#14
coug said:
Odd. I was sure 2-4-d was in Ortho Weed-B-Gone Max however when I look at the MSDS it's not listed and Scott's AKA Ortho said that you could safely plant seed 2 weeks after spraying Weed-b-gon max. Unless I'm confusing 2-4-d with MCPA?

http://www.menards.com/msds/104754_001.pdf
Click to expand...

2-4-d is aka DSMA

you can plant 2 weeks after if want. I wouldn't but its not my money. 3 weeks. Yeah.
 
#15
#15
Obsessed said:
You can spray that year round. If you do spray it watch your temps out side. 2-4-d loses some of it selectivity in hotter temps. May cut back on the rate by about 10%.

Allow 30 days after spraying before planting. Depending on the chemical you buy it could have a lingering effect for up to 30 days.

Mow 2 weeks after spraying.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's what I was getting at. I am wanting to spray this week or next and aerate and seed in late sept/early oct.
 
#16
#16
BigZiti09 said:
Thanks. That's what I was getting at. I am wanting to spray this week or next and aerate and seed in late sept/early oct.
Click to expand...

With that planting time you have plenty of time to eradicate all the weeds from the lawn and do what you want done.

You could probably get away with a shot of fertilizer too. Just becareful and don't apply to heavy as to burn the seed up after it sprouts up.

Good luck my friend
 
#17
#17
Obsessed said:
With that planting time you have plenty of time to eradicate all the weeds from the lawn and do what you want done.

You could probably get away with a shot of fertilizer too. Just becareful and don't apply to heavy as to burn the seed up after it sprouts up.

Good luck my friend
Click to expand...

In the past I've used triple 19 when seeding but haven't really been a big fan of it thus far. The main thing is watering the seed daily from my experience.
 
#18
#18
coug said:
I've got a fescue lawn so it's the time of year to aerate and reseed. I'm not a rookie to the process by any means but I'm looking for some insight.

Is doing it this early into August really recommended? One of the worst things for newly sprouting grass is heat this time of year and it's not strange for Knoxville to have high heat well into September.

What is the importance of mowing just before aeration and reseeding and how low can you safely drop the blade on the mower, taking into account that it's still August?

The past couple years I've had Scott's do it with great results but they're a little higher priced. For roughly a 3500 sq ft backyard they quoted $162.50 which includes aeration and overseeding with their Scott's Thermal Blue fescue seed.

I realize the cheapest route would be doing it myself but I don't have a vehicle with a hitch nor a trailer to go and rent an aerator.

Any input is welcome!
Click to expand...

I rented one about 6 weeks ago, and it was $60 for the aerator for the day, so add in grass seed, and saving yourself the hassle of fighting that thing around the yard, $162's not that bad
 
#19
#19
BigZiti09 said:
In the past I've used triple 19 when seeding but haven't really been a big fan of it thus far. The main thing is watering the seed daily from my experience.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'd pick up a good base root starter for the seed. After that its your choice.
 
#20
#20
Mowed my lawn for the first time in two weeks and it had barely grown. I guess I'm glad I postponed the aeration/seeding. Despite all the rain and subtle temps this summer the grass still went somewhat dormant. As for fertilizers around this month I planned on putting down starter fertilizer just before they aerate/seed. I've found in past overseedings it truly helps in not only the growth of the grass but the lawn overall.
 
#23
#23
You guys talk like a bunch of chemist. I use 13-13-13, 2 times a year and let it go. Bermuda is the ticket, just keep the blades sharp.
 
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