Aeration and Seeding
1. Site Preparation is Important – Always make sure you have a clean “canvas”
Always try and ensure your turf is as weed free as possible when the new seed is applied, this way it will not have to compete for nutrients and water. Also making sure that any areas that have died out from the summer heat and/or disease (Brown Patch) is raked out so when the seed is applied, it is not sitting on top of any dead grass but actually in contact with the soil. Proper “seed-to-soil” contact is crucial to enhanced seed germination.
Prior to aeration and seeding you want to make sure your yard is mowed down to around 2”. Doing it the day of or the day before ensures the seed and fertilizer makes it to the soil, again providing quality “seed-to-soil” contact. Also, after the initial seeding and fertilization, you will not want to mow your turf for 2 weeks as the seed begins to germinate so having it cut low will ensure it doesn’t look out of control.
2. Use Quality Seed – using poor seed results in weeds and poor germination rates.
There are several choices when it comes to seed, but making the wrong one can be detrimental to the results you see. Here at Dreamscapes LLC we only use Blue-Tag Certified, 100% weed free seed so we can ensure the highest quality product is used on your turf. Buying seed from a local hardware store, usually means you are introducing a weeds and inert matter a rate of 2-10% per 50% bag, which can be substantial.
After your initial seeding, there are always area(s) that need additional seed applied after 10-14 days. If you are a maintenance customer of ours, we continue to seed area(s) that require extra attention until we achieve a dense stand of turf. There are not many lawns that can suffice with only one seeding. Make sure whomever you choose to perform your aeration and seeding is going to come back and hand seed any area(s) that may require some extra attention.
3. Aeration – Making multiple passes alleviates soil compaction.
Making two passes with the aerator ensures that you are properly alleviating any soil compaction throughout your yard, in return giving you better results during the seeding process.
4. Proper watering practices after seeding will result in enhanced germination.
After your yard has been aerated and seeded you will want to keep the soil moist, not wet. The first two weeks after seeding, setting your irrigation to come on 3 times a day for 2-4 minutes per zone is important. Setting the start times for 10am, 3 pm, and again at 7pm is an example of a schedule that will yield good germination rates.
Contact Dreamscapes,LLC if you are in the Greater Raleigh, North Carolina area and would like a free consultation.
We appreciate you taking the time to read our blog and are always here to answer any questions or concerns you may have. You can reach us by going to our website, www.TriangleDreamscapes.com and filling in your contract information at the bottom of our main page for a estimate or if you just have a question you’d like to ask.
Warm Regards,
Dreamscapes LLC
Raleigh, North Carolina
