Aerate Lawn

[MJBaldwin]

Hello there just need some quick info I just got my lawn areated for the first time since I'm trying to make my lawn look even better two quick questions..

Next time I mow or for the rest of the year do I want to bag or just mulch my lawn?

I also won't to top seed it this fall should I do that now? Or right before it snows I heard that's a great time just doesn't seem right?

Any info would help thanks all!

[LwnmwnMan2]

Now is the time to overseed.

Mow as you normally would.

[MJBaldwin]

Ok I'll pick some up early next week is there a brand or style you would suggest? I'm not familiar with types I have a sunny yard with a lot of pine trees

[delcecchi]

You might check U of M extension, http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/turfgrass/

The selection of grass seed and varieties is covered in fair detail in

http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/landscaping/maint/coolseas.htm

Your tax dollars at work...

[Tom7227]

Putting down some fertilizer in the Fall is also a good way to get the grass growing. I can't remember exactly what the best formula is but you should check that out and put it down at the optimal time.

[fishersofmen]

Now is the time to overseed.

Mow as you normally would.

^^This. If you do put some fert down and you should try to get some starter fert.

I did an aeration and overseed last fall and my lawn looks awesome this year. Im going to plug it again today.

[Huskie]

What do you use to aerate your lawn? Can something be rented?

[LwnmwnMan2]

You will want to rent a plug aerator.

It pulls what looks like mid sized turds out of your yard.

You don't have to rake those up, you don't have to break them down. They disappear on their own.

A spike aerator does nothing.

[MJBaldwin]

I had a company come out this year and spray (4 applications) and then the areate so they just fertilized then the areated so I'll throw some grass seed down and see what's happens next spring!

[fishersofmen]

Make sure they didn't spray for weeds recently. If they broadcast sprayed fertilizer and weed control you may have some problems if you put seed down right away.

[MJBaldwin]

No it was more of a fertilizer than weed control..

[Don Julio]

I would check your invoice your company left to make sure that no herbicide was used. Most require a 3 week waiting period before you can seed. A good starter fertilizer such as 18-26-12 is the best for developing a strong root system when overseeding. When I overseed or slit seed I cut the grass short, double pass with aerator or slit seeder, seed and apply the fert I mentioned above. Water to wash seed down into your soil. Seed must have soil contact to germinate. Without that you are just feeding the birds. Keep moist for 2/3 weeks. Fiscue germinates in 7-10 days, KBG takes 25-30. Germination rate depends on if the seed is fresh (date on bag) and quality of seed. Make sure the bag says 0% weed seed.

[Huskie]

Is it too late to aerate the lawn here along I 90 SW Mn?

[leechlake]

not too late. If your lawn is dry water it first if you can. I live in the cities and we did it about ten days ago, with the little rain we've got even though I turned the irrigation on for a few days the soil was pretty hard especially on a south face little slope we have.