DIY - aerate - grass seed - fertilizer

[@adamseagle1434]

Seasoned vet here. Great video! It encompasses all factors for this critical process to ensure a good healthy turf perfectly explained from someone if obviously years of experience! Keep ‘em comin!

[@markmaccione6757]

This is probably the best video I've ever seen regarding aerating and overseeding. Love your videos Pete. I used your garden weasel trick recently. Works well. I also used a Billy Goat plugger for the first time this year. Man that machine is heavy, but def yields better results that the old drum style aerator I've used for a few years now. Great job with all your videos!!

[@jasongrubb2279]

You are great at teaching, you stay on point and do not overwhelm us with the knowledge you have. Excellent job and thank you so much for creating this you tube channel.

[@cotygiles6213]

This type of video is unprecedented. Amazing how that little seed makes it down in that hole and makes a plant. Thank you for your time Pete as always. God bless

[@jimyounger9490]

Yup , agree 100 percent about reseeding and the cover. And one thing also a light roll will set that seed too. Love your channel and will be buying your fescue seed this fall.

[@matthewhartup941]

Heck ya! A seasoned guy watching here! I'm getting pumped and geared up to do my lawn tomorrow! This video is my pre-game pep talk. You do everything like I do almost to a T! Like the double cross-over passes when your putting down seed! I even do that with my fert lol. I figure if I am going to double cut some when the lawn is thriving, I might as well cut down my app rate down some and double pass when I am renovating. I am going to try putting my starter fert out first this fall, then do core aeration. I even picked up a garden weasel. Thanks Pete

[@backtobasics4500]

Great video Pete, I was talking to my network group about this very thing last week. Ended up with 5 jobs out of it. Hope to see you and Matt at the GIE on Friday

[@GCITurf]

+Mad Mowing I am planning on being there

[@jeffwilson1484]

you are the man of grass I love watching you I have learned a lot from you keep it up you are such a down to earth person love your trucks and equipment.

[@jncbankston]

Nice vid, Pete. Thanks for taking the time to go over this. It seems to me that if I take time to aerate, may as well throw down some seeds.

[@glennbarone4069]

Man. SEE that grass seed down in that hole..Man that thing is as happy as it can be...Spit my beer out on that one..Thanks for the video Dude..

[@bphilbac]

Great demonstration! Your knowledge is greatly appreciated! Thanks for the post!

[@RedRoyce]

Thanks for all the information you have given to us brother!! I was going to buy my seed and things from the local store because I like to spend close to home and support them but I'm thinking about ordering it from you because of all the teaching you have given to me. Plus I think your products may be superior?? thank you again and God bless

[@Doober80]

Nice video describing the basic steps that describe annual fall overseeding. I always plug and then spread fert. I suppose it doesnt matte that much.

[@jashby9736]

As he said, water is the key to seed germination.

[@pasqualepisani]

Do you remove the dirt cores or do you just leave them on top of the grass to decompose and work their way back down to the soil?

[@ChaseLandMgmt]

Pasquale Pisani leave them as they lie, rain will break up and spread the plugs back across the base of the turf over time. It may look unappealing, but it is healthy and perfectly fine.

[@rafa106900]

Pete, just found your vid. I have learned a lot. You should also do videos on vegetable garden, those jalapeños look great.

[@wpg7o6]

Great tips thanks from Canada

[@GCITurf]

Thank you Canada!

[@JanoyCresva]

I had bare spot like that and i just used some tree and shrub fertilized soil and mixed with cow manure. Put some seed down, raked it in, and a few months later its super strong and i'd say its harder to pull out than the established turf.

[@GCITurf]

Franken Peter glad that worked for you !!!!

[@daflea66]

"see that seed down in that hole? Man that thing is as happy as it can be right there" that made me LOL I say this stuff all the time and my guys think Im nuts.

[@michaelsalcido3736]

Good stuff Pete. Thanks for your efforts in making these vids. Question: I'm over seeding on a Bermuda turf lawn. I planted sod. However, I guess I did not level the ground good enough during sod prep. Now I have ruts and uneven ground. To correct this, I added top soil and screeded the area for levelness. I then used a metal rake to create furrows for the seed I plan on using for over seeding. I then turned my steel upside down in order to get the furrows to cover the seed. Then I added some peat moss over the area ( about 1/8 to 1/4 in coverage in order to help keep moist and to keep birds from getting to the seed. My question is...after all that as described above, is it necessary to "roll" with a lawn roller to ensure the seed makes good contact with the soil or can I simply start the watering process? Also you mentioned about fertilizing before sowing the seed. Can I drop milorgonite for the fertilizing process? Appreciate your opinion and response.

[@achance007]

Having my acre aerated and seeded tomorrow in Delaware. I have one problem area, the leaf blower was a good idea to prepare it! My company fertilized 2 weeks ago, so i'm guessing I shouldn't put down more?

[@GCITurf]

achance007 no. Not now. I'd give it at least 2 - 3 more weeks then give it a high dose of nitrogen

[@DutchDiesel29]

Another great video. My pluggn party is starting tomorrow. Can't wait for next year GCI Academy.

[@benharrison1069]

Very nice tutorial, Pete! Questions - I realize that this would add more work, but wouldn't it be better to cover your area going both north-south AND east-west for the aeration, fertilization, and grass seeding? It seems to me that if you did your overlapping going both directions with each step in the process that you would insure yourself of having complete coverage and not leave any lines of noncoverage in the work area. My other concern would be, with as thick as your grass is even in your test area, that the new seed, first, doesn't make it down to the soil and, second, doesn't the established grass being cut at 3-3.5" block the sun and maybe the water from the new grass sprouts? Again, Pete, really good video!

[@GCITurf]

I'm pretty decent at making the machine do as I want it too. So typically 1 pass is good on my yard and I get excellent coverage. If it's a lawn in bad shape then I would do as you suggest. I've never had any issues with germination as long as water is present. Good questions....

[@tommysarnes]

Is there a reason behind putting down the fertilizer before plugging? Or does it matter the sequence?

[@GCITurf]

Doesn't matter

[@Losbitiboys4441]

Hi im the guy from winston salem nc wish i had told you about my problem and you told me to send you a picture but you know what that the same problem i have in my front lawn i ty so much for this video cause now i know what to do im planning to go to your store sometimes next week to buy turf grass seeds or you can tell me wish one i should use in my lawn and to get fertilizer ty again for the video im happy that i am a subscriber and follower of your channel God bless

[@jonboysprowash7845]

Using a walk begin aerater is like getting in a ring with a bull and wrestling it by the horns all day. It pays good but it is work for sure

[@rlaracue]

My yard was hit with grubs and fungus this summer, lots of dead patches even with treatment. In addition even with pre-emergents down in the spring I have some crabgrass and clover. My question is do I let the cooler weather kill the weeds & crabgrass so I can over seed & aerate this month or should I treat the weeds & crabgrass and over seed late. I may need to dethatch given the large areas of dead grass. Thoughts on the best sequence of steps to get my lawn back in shape? Thanks!! PS - The yard is 2/3 of acre of ryegrass and some fescue.

[@nvrp813]

Great video Pete! Quick question, if the yard is completely bare dirt, do you still need to aerate before seeding? Seems like once you use the Weasel it covers the holes with dirt anyway. Thanks!

[@ronthomason2397]

is 6-24=24 good for fall after seeding or is 13=13=13

[@TheRealThaenatos]

I didnt overseed after aerating as I was worried the weed attacking in spring (pre and post emergent) would kill most if not all of my new grass. I will go heavy over seeding next fall after I get at the weeds and fert what I already have. I wish there was a way to irrigate my nearly 2 acres on well water.

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

Thaenatos Mowing high and waiting for rain is about all you can do.

[@TheRealThaenatos]

aguyandhiscomputer I cut at 4in and we get OK rain. During the summer my grass needs at least 2 cuts a week unless I want to clump and take off more than a 1/3 of the blade off each cut.

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

Thaenatos Gotcha, you're already doing it :)

[@bangarang74]

That dead spot was probably from a hydo fluid leak on the digger truck.

[@cjslawncare2538]

I have a customer who wants aerated and over seeded but his back yard is infested with nut sedge and the front has a bunch of grassy weeds. Should I spray the nut sedge first or just go ahead aerate over seed and deal with the weeds next spring?

[@GCITurf]

C&J's Lawn Care you could spray tenacity the day you seed. That will clean up quite a bit

[@CDAndrews]

Dang man, that blower ain't no joke!

[@GCITurf]

CD Andrews stihl BR 700

[@witnessofthecovenant7036]

Awesome video extremely informative

[@ianmackenzie686]

Lol! Blower too noisy, I'll use the rake. Excellent video, thank you! Holy catfish, your peppers are incredible! What's your secret?

[@daflea66]

Is mushroom manure compost available in bulk there? There are definitely some weed seeds that come with it but if it is the product out of the actual mushroom farms they arent too numerous and easily dosed or even pulled manually.

[@ramart06]

Well I'm a newbie at this and I want to do the right thing. How soon after sowing seed should I cut the lawn? Keep up the good work I'm learning so much. Thanks

[@GCITurf]

Stick around! I will teach you. You need to mow cool season turf at a minimum at 4". Let the new grass get to 5" then start cutting

[@BMETFerg]

What about seeding , aerating and seeding again all in the same day?

[@miket7350]

Should i fertilize right after i plug and seed or should I wait a while?

[@platodimitriadis7808]

where can I get a sprinkler like that in Massachusetts

[@dblood8529]

What type of watering system is that @ 31min?? I need that!

[@conneljw]

Dblood85 agreed I want to know as well

[@charlesfrankenberg2497]

That can be found at bigsprinkler.com they sell various models and at different prices just find the one that suits you best.

[@lilbabykenny]

I have a question.. I'm aerating and overseeing my kbg lawn in the next week or so. I'm gonna mow short just before aerating and then throwing the kbg seed and fert down. My question comes to mowing. Should I hold off mowing? But after a fert app the existing kbg is gonna grow like crazy... will it inhibit the new kbg seed from growing? And if I cut and mulch will it smother the new seed? Thanks love the vids!

[@GCITurf]

lilbabykenny I wouldn't take it down no lower than 3 inches. You could also wait and put the fertilizer down a week after you do the grass seed. That would buy you some more time

[@mikeheathercerovski]

GCI Turf Services I have alot of my tall fescue that is growing horizontally which leaves like a dirt trail between the fescue clumps will over seeding help this or will the grass blades shade it out? Hope this makes sense.

[@GCITurf]

mikeheathercerovski can you send me some pics? [e-mail]

[@mikeheathercerovski]

GCI Turf Services yes I can and I did. Thank you!

[@madebeen]

Hi Pete, I always thought airession was useful for any type of grass... if you've done just for seeding do we need to do it for Saint Augustine grass that doesn't have any seeds?

[@jeffmay7263]

Is there really a need to plug the yard if you have a sharp spiked aerator drum?I have a sharp spiked drum I fill with water and drag around the yard with my mower.Im figuring it does about the same thing as a plugger...

[@GCITurf]

I prefer an actual core aerator that removes soil from the ground. The spikers simply press the dirt further into the ground making it harder

[@st7650]

Hey Pete is there anyway you can do a areator review. I seen this video you have both Ryan and Billy Goat PlugR model. I noticed in some of your older videos you used to do machine reviews. As far as a home owner DIY I'm in the market for a core areator. I really like both models but not really sure which one to buy. And why you like one better then the other. Thanks again great videos. Best channel on KZbin. Tall fescue all the way best all around cool season grass seed. Can't wait till next year for the guidance and the new website to begin. Thanks again

[@GCITurf]

st7650 thank you for the compliment friend. I appreciate you. To be simple with it if your lawn is moist you can use the Ryan with zero issue. If it's slightly dry then the reciprocating Billy goat is the trick. If it's hard just wait for a nice rain then jump on it

[@redick1618]

If you had a choice which do you prefer plug or aero-vator?

[@GCITurf]

really depends on lawn condition. dry vs wet - thin vs thick

[@redick1618]

GCI Turf Services moisture In the ground but not muddy or dry. Thick grass

[@GCITurf]

Chat Redick plug it

[@edwincastro1739]

Awesome video! There was a lot of guidance!

[@disappointedfan4452]

Hey Pete, great instructional video as always. Quick questions: how do you feel about adding peat moss to cover the grass? Further, would you spray RGS and Humic 12 after this process?

[@barrycavanaugh2937]

It wouldn’t hurt a bit!

[@earnie219]

Do you recommend a pre-emergent for late fall / winter - in Virginia with tall Fescue that is well taken care of and no weeds currently. One large area has newly planted tall fescue and been cut four times. However I've needed to reseed some spots and those came up dense and thick but top growth is below 2.5" due to colder weather here late October. Wondering what I can apply for pre-emergence that will carry me thru the winter as my grass does grow during the winter in Richmond, VA full sun available. PH=6.5 - 6.7 Worried pre-emergence might stress recently planted grass 2.5". Thank you and keep up the passion for healthy lawns..

[@GCITurf]

mid february this guide will be perfect for you www.gciturfacademy.com/product/gci-turf-academy-cool-season-lawn-care-program/

[@thomasyarbro]

Pete i live in the transition zone in southeast missouri. Is spring (April) a good time to renovate my yard? I have Bermuda mixed in with fescue and i cant tolerate another summer of this look. Would i be ok killing my yard off and slit seeding it with falcon IV?

[@Elimoore4gtv]

Looking for your grass seed on ebay and amazon don't see it ..want to try it Thanks for your help bro

[@justinshaw5706]

My yard is way too big to drag a hose everywhere to keep it watered well, am I wasting time by overseeding and all the work that it takes if keeping it watered well isn’t in the cards? I’m in southern Michigan and the yard was basically burnt up the past July, very little rain. I’ve got fairly sandy soil. Thank for your input

[@GCITurf]

Justin Shaw we have MANY clients that don’t touch a water hose ALL year long and their yards get seeded yearly and look pretty dang good

[@justinshaw5706]

GCI Turf Services thanks Pete! Obviously if conditions are right with rain after seeding I’m set. With the turf type stuff will the dew of the existing lawn be enough to help with germination if the overseed?? Thanks again

[@GCITurf]

Justin Shaw not dew alone. It needs water as well. Hopefully you get some rain soon!

[@Methodical2]

Pete, what is that piece of equipment holding the sprinkler head and where did you get it? Thanks

[@dailyDIYdude]

Best one yet Pete

[@revd6239]

...would you mix your seed with your fertilizer and put it out at one time? I have almost two acres.

[@GCITurf]

Rev D no. I have never done that

[@revd6239]

GCI Turf Services ok

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

You don't want to mix because the two have different weights and will settle in the spreader and be dispensed at different rates. Doesn't seem like much difference but it adds up.

[@kgc6051]

Hey Pete, do you use an RTF seed or is there one you would recommend?

[@claytonweaver5325]

Can city water with chlorine heart your seed ?

[@hevalina]

Is a pull behind with weight added just as good to aerate ?

[@stevenbrown6782]

kinda weak ....a machine will give better results

[@bradwarren8833]

IS it true that when you aerivate (not sure I spelled that right) you should seed the yard before hand to let the aerivator push the seed into the ground? Or are you supposed to seed after aerivating?

[@GCITurf]

Brad Warren both ways work fine. I’m not convinced that one way is better than the other

[@krehbein]

I'm skeptical. So, ideally, you'll get 1 seed or more per hole. But the holes are about 4" apart. Can't remember how many blades you get from one seed, but does a germinated seed every 4" make a difference?

[@GCITurf]

Don't be skeptical. If you have tall fescue you should aerate and seed EVERY fall. Its basic lawncare 101. Typically 1 fescue plant will cover a 4 inch diameter area give or take some if its fed and watered right throughout the season.

[@krehbein]

Thanks, I didn't know that a single (?) fescue plant would go that wide. I can see how the cumulative affect of aerating and seeding every year will make a difference. Keep up the good work and good videos.

[@GCITurf]

Kevr yes sir. Not to mention that you can visually see the difference for several months after

[@krehbein]

Holy smokes. So I aerated yesterday. Guess my lawn and soil was a little on the wet side. In some areas the aeratator was pulling up pathches of my grass! Don't know if I was turning too hard or what. That was stressful. Next time I'm going to wait till things are a little dryer.

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

Kevr 2-3 days after a good rain should be fine. How many was it?

[@Mityob67]

Such a cool cat. Would love to hang out with you brother Pete.

[@GCITurf]

come on....you are welcome here!

[@bradflood7112]

Pete I am in the last stage of my lawn renovation. You had mentioned to me before about slit seeding and plugging the same day.Would I get great results from just plugging? Also what grip are you using? I need one for my camera

[@GCITurf]

Brad Flood the more seed to soil contact you get the better the results. Slit seeding will get that seed down in the ground. Here is the gimbal I bought www.ebay.com/itm/263130476863

[@krehbein]

Speaking of aeration....what kind of soil do you guys have down there in NC? Looks like its mostly clay? You should do a video talking about different soils people have around the country, and how that might affect the need to aerate. Doesn't aeration till up old weed seeds and give you new problems with weeds?

[@GCITurf]

Kevr I would but I’m not very familiar with “all” the soil types. I would say yes....aeration could stir up weed seeds. But pre and post herbicide will control that. I feel you’ll deal with weeds either way seeing that soil in general is imperfect. Does that make sense?

[@GCITurf]

Red clay mostly

[@krehbein]

Thanks, it does make sense. How do you know aeration is having a beneficial affect? Good folks at aroundtheyard.com forums kind of poo poo aeration, but they advocate healthy soil with organics like milorganite and mulching.

[@GCITurf]

Organics in a yard are always good. We use alot of organics in our program but I assure you theres absolutely nothing that will take the place of mechanical aeration. No organics on earth will actually physically "remove" a core of soil so that real water and real oxygen get to the root system. Does this make sense? Find a farmer and ask them why the plow their fields?? To aerate the ground and relieve compaction. Same principle in a yard.

[@krehbein]

Good point, about farmers. Wonder now if its too late to aerate and overseed up here in northern VA. At this rate who knows when we'll see frost(!) I know ideally it should have been done a few weeks ago.

[@ppags84]

Pete just challenged a ditch to a fight!!

[@stevenbrown6782]

Wzup Pete where can one snag that 10-20-20

[@dblood8529]

Pete what type of watering system is that? I need one before summer lol.

[@GCITurf]

I have hunter I20 heads in my yard

[@dblood8529]

GCI Turf Services what is the wheel stand that the heads are attached too? Where can I get one?

[@GCITurf]

I will look and see what its called

[@dblood8529]

GCI Turf Services hey I found it. It’s just a wheeled sprinkler that normally has an impact sprinkler attached; instead it looks like you attached a irrigation head on it. Good deal!

[@davidroberts3223]

Finally some one who realizes the ridiculous straw myth.

[@GCITurf]

Yes sirrrr

[@CCCC-tq8yo]

Wow go Pete

[@davidgonzales-ec8bo]

Gotta put dish soap on those dry spots.

[@chriscyr11]

I live just a few miles from Greensboro, could I over seed and fertilize before the leaves fall? I have a serious leaf problem, I've heard that walking on new seedlings will hurt them, but you're talking about mowing 2 weeks after seeding. Any help appreciated. I have pretty much all weeds now, so this will be my first go at over seeding.

[@GCITurf]

Chris Cyr I doubt walking on the seeds will "hurt" them. If you have all weeds sounds like you need to do a renovation. If you are going to attempt to aerate and seed I'd do it quickly so the grass comes in before the leaves fall

[@chriscyr11]

GCI Turf Services do you think it's too late in our season to kill it off, and still be able to get see to germinate at a later time?

[@GCITurf]

Chris Cyr depends. Do you have any Bermuda grass ??? Or is it just broadleaf weeds??

[@chriscyr11]

GCI Turf Services mostly buttonweed and clover

[@chriscyr11]

GCI Turf Services and of course some crabgrass.

[@stevenbrown6782]

That 10 20 20 looks interesting

[@Grant_art]

Hey man , I have a question . Pls answer I love your videos and watch all of them . Learned a lot from you so thank you , my question is I'm moving into a new house October 6th but the lawn needs to be killed off and replanted because it's nothing but weeds . I know it'll be too late then to kill off wait three weeks and then aerate and seed it so can I seed in spring and expect good results or do I have to wait 1 whole year to fix my new lawn?

[@GCITurf]

TN Landscaping GB what kinds of weeds do you have??? Are they all broadleaf? Or is there grassy weeds like Bermuda?

[@Grant_art]

GCI Turf Services thanks for commenting back it's all grassy weeds it's just a horrible lawn all kind of weeds mixed crabgrass dallisgrAss Kentucky 31 , broad leafs etc I need help lol what should I do

[@GCITurf]

TN Landscaping GB I've never been a fan of spring seeding. Sounds like you need a renovation. Honestly patience seen to be your best option. You could aerate and lightly seed now and see what happens in the spring. But chances are sounds like you need a renovation

[@CMC_GOAT23]

Great video. I'm a little east of raleigh and trying hard to get fescue to live through summer. Fungicides have helped. Thoughts on "scalping" the lawn? What seed rate are you going out with for overseeding and new lawns?

[@GCITurf]

Grassmasters Wilson nc Barr dirt is 10lbs/1000. Good thick yard is 3-4 lbs/1000. We never recommend scalping unless the lawn is in bad shape

[@JeffSmith-eq3kc]

It really is misleading calling those machines "dethatchers". They don't remove thatch, they simply pull up lose material. Plugging will reduce thatch.

[@unluckyknight]

I wish i could aerate my lawn, but my previous lawn was infested with a mole and its family so after i killed em and re soded my yard i made sure to put a gopher/ mole netting down first. Found out later apparently that means i can't aerate my yard for the life of the netting which is about 15-20 yrs🤣🤣🤣, now my yard is looking anorexic thin and I'm not sure if i can just mow short and seed ontop with water or not

[@theregularguy8600]

I am a no straw kinda guy too..

[@kevina4674]

Been using that same fert.... stinks like cat piss

[@tritonTacoma]

🖒🖒

[@americantroy77]

The Billy Goat looks to pull much smaller plugs then your Z plugger

[@GCITurf]

+americantroy77 yeah. The Billy goat depth is pre set. The z plug is adjustable

[@LonghornsLegend]

This information is incorrect for Bermuda or warm season grass as its best mowed at 1 inch. It's always best to specify instead of giving blanket statements that are wrong

[@scottyhaines4226]

Every grass is different Saint Augustine grass is warm season grass and it has to be tall. It would die at 1 inch. Most grasses prefer the 3-4" range

[@LonghornsLegend]

@@scottyhaines4226 i agree that's why specifying would have made it more correct. Since grass types are completely different it matters when giving instructions.