I'm scheduled to receive my fall aeration and seeding service...
I have an irrigation system, how do I make sure it doesn't get damaged?
Watch this brief video for 3 easy ways to mark your irrigation system:
Always mark your irrigation system prior to us coming to your property for your fall aeration and seeding. Easy ways to mark your irrigation system are by using flags from any home improvement store, you can spray paint the areas, your irrigation company may be able to come out and mark them for you, or you can even use white plastic forks!
If you need assistance marking your irrigation system, we are happy to help! The cost is $50. If your system is easily accessible, we can mark the system prior to starting the irrigation and overseeding service. If your system is inaccessible, we will need to coordinate a time to meet with you, within 3 days before the service, to complete this task.
Does my invisible dog fence need to be marked too?
Yes, any underground hazards on your property that could potentially be damaged during the aeration process need to be marked. If it is not marked, we cannot be responsible for any damage. One trick we’ve learned for marking your invisible dog fence is putting the collar on training mode and walk it around the property line to find where it’s located. You can also try reaching out to the company who installed it to mark it as well.
What other areas of my lawn should I mark?
Be sure to flag any in-ground lights, robotic mowers, and other hard-to-see objects so that they are not damaged. For your comfort, we are happy to walk your lawn with you before starting the aeration and overseeding process.
There are leaves on my lawn, will you still aerate and seed it?
Keep as many leaves as possible off the lawn before your scheduled date. If the lawn is covered with leaves we may have to reschedule your service.
Does my lawn need to be watered?
Water your lawn ONLY if the soil is dry, but be careful of overwatering. A quick way to know if the soil is moist enough is to push a screwdriver into the soil. If the screwdriver penetrates easily, your lawn is watered sufficiently. If it is hard to push in, water about 1″ and test again.
The better plugs we can pull when aerating your lawn, the more your lawn can breathe.
Do I need to mow my lawn?
Mow your lawn to the recommended height (generally, the highest setting on your mower, at 4”) for your turf before we arrive. This helps to make your aeration and seeding more successful by allowing your lawn to retain moisture and shade your new grass seed. Mowing your grass too short will stress your lawn.
I just got my fall aeration and seeding service...
How often should I water my grass?
Newly seeded lawns must be kept moist. That means you must water constantly! If the seed dries out, it will not germinate. Be careful not to overwater as too much water will cause the new seed to drown and rot. If you see mud, you are over watering.
- Thoroughly water the entire seeded area every day
- Keep ground moist but not “soggy”
- Stay off the grass!
- Keep leaves off the lawn (use a blower, not a rake!)
When can I cut my grass again?
If your lawn is well established, wait 1-2 weeks following seeding to cut the grass. Be careful and avoid any weak or bare areas which take longer to fill in. For partially established or renovated lawns you need to wait 3-4 weeks to allow enough time for the turf to germinate and grow properly prior to cutting. Make sure to continue mowing high!
There’s leaves all over my lawn! What do I do?
Keep your lawn clear from leaves, but make sure not to use a rake because it can uproot the newly planted seed. Use a blower to keep those leaves off your lawn.
How long until I see the new grass?
As long as you’re watering properly, your new grass seed will take a minimum of 14-21 days to germinate.
I still see some seeds in my lawn, why didn’t they germinate?
You will not see 100% of the seed germinate. You can expect approximately 90-95% germination with a new lawn and 80-85% germination with aeration and overseeding.
How will coated seeding help my lawn grow?
Failure to keep grass seed moist is one of the main reasons for failure of new lawns since seed needs to stay moist to germinate. Coated seeds absorb two times the amount of water than non-coated seed—this helps the seed to retain moisture and keeps the seed moist for longer, essentially acting as a sponge. Our new coated grass seed promotes germination, root development, plant growth, and an improved growing environment with high efficiency and natural ingredients.
It’s been 21 days and I don’t see the new grass!
Remember – new blades of grass are very fine and quite tiny. Don’t see any grass yet? Get down on your knees for a closer look; it’s there!
Why is there grass growing in my beds?
When we’re laying out seed there’s a high chance that some is going to end up in your beds, especially if there’s any sort of wind outside. Don’t worry though, you can pull it up or apply round-up to those areas in your beds.
It’s springtime and now there are more weeds in my lawn, why?
When aeration is performed, it not only helps bring nutrients and airflow to the turf but also disturbs the soil, stirring up the existing dormant weed seeds in your lawn as well. Don’t worry – as long as you’re on a lawn care program, we will address any weed problems with our second application in the spring.
Still have a burning question?
Give us a call at 703-313-2056 or contact us – our client care specialists are always happy to help you understand how to maximize your lawn care results.
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