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If you’re considering aerating your lawn, you’ll want to consider when the best time to aerate is. New life has the best chance of growing in the area when aeration takes place, so it’s best to aerate at that time. Too early or too late and you could kill seeds and suppress new growth. Read on to find out when it’s appropriate to aerate and when you should apply herbicides to help prevent future weed growth.
Getting rid of weeds before aerating
Getting rid of weeds before edging and aerating is important to keep invasive growth to a minimum. Herbicides and chemicals can damage seeding roots and fresh blades of grass. Additionally, organic and natural weed control methods can stress young plants. To ensure that you are overseeding a new lawn, wait at least four to five weeks before tackling the weeds. In addition, aeration is often time consuming, so be sure to plan enough time to complete the weed control process.
To reduce weed pressure, aerate in the spring or fall. Late spring aeration is beneficial if the grass is too thin or compacted. In early spring, weeds are merely germinating. The best time to aerate is when the average soil temperature is at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In Ohio, this is late March or early April.
Another option for weed control is to mow your lawn regularly. While mowing, do not remove more than a third of the grass at a time. Another option for killing weeds is to spray vinegar on their leaves. Vinegar contains an acid that can kill 80 to 100 percent of the weed’s top growth. It can also be applied with a hoe.
Using a pre-emergent weed killer after aeration
When applying a pre-emergent weedkiller after aeration, it’s important to make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application. Many landscape specialists claim that the best temperature for application is 60 or 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, a study conducted by the University of Missouri concluded that the best pre-emergent is applied at 55 degrees Fahrenheit for five days. The best way to determine if the weedkiller is working properly is to check the weather forecast and apply the product according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
Applying a pre-emergent herbicide will ensure that your lawn will be weed free for several months after aeration. While pre-emergent herbicides kill weeds before they emerge, they are not suitable for overseeded lawns. The herbicide will kill the grass seedlings. This will reduce the amount of labor you have to spend hand-pulling the weeds.
Pre-emergent weed killers will not kill the seeds, but they will prevent them from germinating. Instead, they work by blocking a protein in the plant that helps it divide cells. These cell divisions are what lead to the plant’s growth. While these weed killers usually work on a broad range of weeds, it’s important to check for specific herbicides if you have specific invasive species in mind.
Using a pre-emergent herbicide after aeration will prevent weeds from growing in newly laid sod. However, you should wait at least four months to use it over newly-seeded lawns. This will ensure a quality seed bed. If you need additional information, you can contact a lawn care company. You’ll be glad you did!
Using herbicides after aeration
If you’ve been trying to prevent weeds, you’ve probably considered using herbicides. Although you can safely apply most of these products yourself, it’s better to use licensed professionals to ensure the safety of the herbicide you’re using. Cardinal Lawns is one such company that provides weed control and prevention services. To learn more about using herbicides on your lawn, contact Cardinal Lawns.
When applying post-emergent herbicides, be sure to use them early in the morning. It’s important to wait until morning, because weed growth slows during the afternoon and evening. Also, make sure to avoid applying herbicides on rainy days, as rainstorms may wash away herbicides. Also, be sure to follow label instructions carefully. Once applied, you should wait up to three or four weeks before overseeding the lawn again.
Fortunately, there are numerous other ways to kill weeds, including using boiling water. The water needs to be at least 200 degrees and should be poured directly onto the weeds. This method is best suited for weeds that grow in gravel or between paving stones. Other organic ways to kill weeds include using dish soap, epsom salt, or apple cider vinegar. To heat the water safely, you can use a teakettle.
Depending on the type of weeds in your yard, pre-emergent herbicides can be applied to your lawn. These herbicides will prevent weeds from sprouting and minimize the amount of time spent hand-pulling weeds. However, if you’re planning to seed your lawn in the spring or summer, make sure to use a post-emergent herbicide.
Using a core aerator
Using a core aerator on your lawn can improve the overall health of your lawn. It can thicken existing grass and save a struggling lawn. The aeration process also kills invasive weeds and improves the quality of the soil. The aerator removes soil plugs, which should break down naturally over time. You can use an aeration machine for your lawn once a year.
A core aeration machine works by mechanically removing plugs of soil from your lawn. By removing these plugs, water can flow deeper into the soil, and nutrients and oxygen can reach the roots. Using a core aerator will create these voids, allowing seed to grow. This process is beneficial for your lawn and is a great way to get rid of weeds without harming your lawn.
A core aerator is a motor-driven tool that is usually used for small areas. The tool pulls plugs from the soil about two to three inches deep and half an inch in diameter. It is best to hire a professional if you have no experience aerating. You will need a truck and someone to help you. It is important to have someone on hand to help you with the machine to avoid any injury to yourself or property.
After the weeds are killed, you can start seeding your lawn. Seeds need a lot of water to germinate, so be sure to adjust your watering schedule to ensure the soil stays moist and prevents weeds from sprouting. You may also want to consider weed control fertilizer. In addition to applying a fertilizer, you should use a lawn starter fertilizer. It will help kick-start the grass seed. The aerator’s tine holes will also help the fertilizer penetrate the soil, preventing it from washing away.