Comments for Hometown Lawn, LLC

Comment on So you want your yard back… Aerate vs. Verticut & Overseed by Bryan

Bryan — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:59:57 +0000

I like the article but I do somewhat disagree with it. I’ve experimented with all sorts of different techniques and have found doing both gives the best results. My neighbor follows a similar process (1-5 and 7) but then he loses focus and does a few things I think are stupid (i.e. he doesn’t water much and he mowed 3 days after the process). We still have 2 of the best lawns in the neighborhood though.

1. Mow lower than normal. Not a full scalp but mow low.
2. Verticut in ONE (1) direction using a machine that drops the seed as it goes. Go across a slopes not up and down. It makes miniature channels. When I water later, I don’t water rushing down the channels and possibly taking seed with it. It might not be a big deal but I have to pick 1 direction so I always go across slopes.
3. I don’t have a thatch problem but any noticeable areas of thatch gently rake or pick up.
4. Core Aerate at a 45-90 degree angle to the verticut. My yard looks nothing like dust after this process.
5. Using a drop or broadcast spreader, spread more seed.
6. Using the same spreader, spread gypsum (I have heavy nasty clay soil).
7. Using the same spreader, spread starter fertilizer.
8. Water in small amounts 4-6 times per day (~1 inch total per day), every day for ~2 weeks.
9. Water once per day (~1 inch), every day for 1 week.
10. Water once every 3 days (~1 inch) for 1 week.
11. Start mowing. It has been 4 weeks since the last mow so you have to mow high and mow every 3-4 days slowly lowering the mower until you get back to normal mow height. Make sure you bag too. No mulching for a few weeks. Cut water back to the normal once per week (~1 inch).
12. After another 2-4 weeks (6-8 weeks total) put another round of winter formulated fertilizer.

I did it again this year and I am almost to the 4 week mark now. The yard is looking thick and green. I can’t wait to do the first cut this weekend.

Comment on So you want your yard back… Aerate vs. Verticut & Overseed by Dave

Dave — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:08:19 +0000

It really depends on how much thatch your yard is producing when passing over it with the verticutter. On many lawns we see too much thatch left over even on the second pass so that is why we do what we do. If you are creating much thatch on the second pass then it is perfectly acceptable to do it per your recommendation. We just don’t like to see the seed get lost in the thatch of the second pass. Thanks for the inquiry. -Dave

Comment on So you want your yard back… Aerate vs. Verticut & Overseed by Amy Johnston

Amy Johnston — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:03:30 +0000

Great article….just what I needed. We are overseeding this year and using the verticutter to do so. It has been recommended to cut one way, rake, seed, then cut the other way, then fertilize. From what I read in your article, you recommend seeding after 2 passes and raking…am I reading that correct? Thank you. – Amy