Step 1: Area Preparation
• Mow grass to 3 1/2” and bag lawn clippings.
• Clean up remaining trash & debris. Note: At this time, you may want to remove any lawn ornaments or furniture that will interfere with operation of aeration machine. Flag irrigation heads or other in-ground fixtures that will need to be avoided during aeration.
• Redefine bed edges and rake area along the bed edges to remove any bark, needles, etc. that may interfere with new or existing grass growth.
• Water the entire area to soften the soil. This will allow for the core-aerating machine to pull deeper plugs.
Make sure water soaks into ground at least 4 inches deep, being sure not to over-water. Watering too much will create a soggy ground that actually will hinder the operation of the core-aerating machine. If ground does become soggy, allow surface area to dry before beginning aeration.
• Core-Aerate the lawn with two passes in a criss-cross pattern. Hand-plug any areas not accessible by the aeration machine by using a hand coring tool. Plug to a depth of 12-18” along curb or sidewalk areas, slopes, or low spots for better air and root movement. After aeration, hand rake bare spots to loosen surface crust. This step will allow for adequate seed to soil contact.
• On slopes or high water flow areas where seed can be washed away easily, make sure that ground aerification sufficiently breaks up surface level so that seed can mix within the soil and stay in place. Using OPH’s Organic Mulch or Penn Mulch will help stabilize seed on these unlevel surfaces, however, on severe grades, rollout burlap may be needed. See step 4 for more details.
Step 2: Seed
OPH’s select grass seeds are premium blends containing some of the #1 rated seeds in the nation for this area. We carry three specific blends to meet your landscape needs:
Sun Blend: For full sun areas
Sun/Shade Blend: For partial sun/shade areas
Shade Blend: For partial to mostly shade areas.
Note: If you have areas that are mostly to complete shade, you should consider transforming the area into a natural area.
The following application rates will apply:
Fully established grass 2-3 lbs. per 1,000 sq ft
Thinly established grass 4-6 lbs. per 1,000 sq ft
Raw Dirt 7-9 lbs. per 1,000 sq ft
Caution: MORE IS NOT BETTER. Be careful not to apply more seed than needed. Excessive overseeding causes competition for water, air, and nutrients, as well as inhibits proper air circulation necessary for healthy growth. These are just some of the factors that will affect the health and performance of your grass in the coming years.
Step 3: Soil Amendments
The key to successful planting starts with the soil. OPH’s products are specifically designed to put biological life back into the soil, decrease compaction, promote soil porosity, suppress and control disease, and support the building blocks of the “soil food web”. Be sure to measure area accurately to avoid putting too much product in. MORE IS NOT BETTER!
If you have been on OPH’s annual program and still need additional soil conditioning:
Apply Urban Soil Life Maxx™ at a rate of 50 lbs per 10,000 sq. ft.
Apply Urban Germinate™ at a rate of 50 lbs. per 10,000 sq. ft.
If you have not started or completed our annual program:
Apply Urban Soil Life Maxx™ at a rate of 50 lbs per 2500 sq. ft.
Apply Urban Germinate™ Starter fertilizer at a rate of 50 lbs. per 10,000 sq. ft.
Step 4: Mulching
After seed has been laid, apply OPH Organic Mulch, a 100% biodegradable product that retains moisture and increases microbial activity in the soil. This will increase oxygen flow to newly established root systems. Once applied, the organic mulch will help retain moisture to aid in germination. Spread lightly after seeding over raw dirt areas or in seeded areas with thin grass coverage. On slope areas burlap mesh may be needed, along with OPH’s organic mulch, to hold seed and dirt in place.
NEVER USE WHEAT STRAW. It contains WEEDS just waiting to germinate along with your grass seed.
Step 5: Watering
FUNGUS ALERT It is important to keep seed and ground moist after planting. Water as needed to maintain adequate moisture level to promote germination. This means water lightly 2-3 times per day depending on rain. Once the seeds germinate and grass is established, begin watering more deeply to help establish deep root systems. Be aware that this watering process can heighten the ability of fungus and disease to occur. Never water at night. Wet ground with overnight temperatures above 65 degrees will also promote the growth of disease. For complete watering instructions, see our watering protocol sheet. Going forward, best time to water is 5am – 8am.
GRUB ALERT! If you have not already treated for Grubs, now is the time. During August and September, grubs are very active in the ground eating root systems. Your new seedlings’ roots will be very susceptible to these voracious eaters. To kill the grubs and greatly reduce the beetle population next year, treat your lawn with Zenith 0.5 mg. at a rate of 1.2 – 1.8 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. or Maxide Grub Killer 10 lbs/5,000 sq ft. For best control, apply treatment in late July, early August.
ARMY WORM ALERT! ArmywormLarvae feed on all above-ground plant parts of Bermudagrass and Fescue, among others. They are showing up everywhere and are a large threat to newly established turf, along with causing severe damage to established stands. You will need to proactively treat your lawn with Bifen LP prevent permanent damage to your grass. Bifen LP also controls a large number of other insects in your landscape including fire ants. Control lasts up to 4 months.
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