Aerating, overseeding, and Pre-M's

[Williams Services]

Here's something that I was wondering. When we start to aerate and overseed in the springtime, early, do we skip a pre-m app? My understanding was that the pre-m forms a barrier that prevents any seeds from germinating, so you wouldn't want it down when you put some grass seed down, not to mention aerating would break the barrier, am I right?

[accuratelawn]

Use starter fert and tupersan instead of the pre-m

[Williams Services]

I's ignant ... what's tupersan? And let me stress that this is for existing lawns.

[Ric]

I don't know what tupersan is either??? maybe accuratelawn means Turcam and spellllls like I do.

[Evan528]

Tuperson is the only pre-emergent that can be applied to prevent the germination of crabbgrass but not prevent new grass seed from germinating. My experience with it is that is has a very short residual effect and does not work very well! defnitly not worth the high price that it costs!

[65hoss]

If your talking for customers lawns, you can aerate and seed, but not use the pre m unless you have a license. You may have one, but from the post my assumption is you don't.

No pre m if your seeding.

[GroundKprs]

1- Spring overseeding: Tupersan (one trade name for siduron) can be used as a crabgrass preemergent in spring seeding. Siduron will prevent crabgrass germination, but will allow your desireable grasses to germinate (see label). But siduron costs about 4 times as much as most other pre-ems, and is only effective for 30 days. So you must build this cost into your service; in southern areas you may have to make up to 3 applications of siduron while desireable grasses establish. In my area, usually one application is sufficient, then we use a post emergent to clean up site later in season. Do not waste the siduron application - apply it just before the germination time of crabgrass.

2- Spring aeration: University testing in the past, in both warm and cool season grasses, has shown that aeration after pre-em is applied does not break the pre-em barrier. The chemical is just redistributed as the cores dissolve. However, it is not recommended to do this on a regular basis.
If you have already made a pre-em application, seeding is out of the question until fall.

[Williams Services]

Thanks guys, this is what I needed. Eric, we've been around this mountain before - SC only requires a license for the application of pesticides, ferts, pre-m's, and herbicides don't require one (yet).

[GroundKprs]

Jeff, better check your definitions. Federal law has defined pesticides and delegates their licensing to the states.

PEST(relating to the landscape) = any undesireable plant, insect, disease, animal, or other condition.
PESTICIDE = any chemical (natural or synthetic) used to control a pest.

Better verify your licensing theory through your state regulatory agency at http://cufp.clemson.edu/dpr/

[Williams Services]

Guys, I appreciate it but I've already checked with the extension office in Aiken. I believe his exact words were, "We don't really have a license for anything like that. As long as it's not a pesticide. Fertilizers, Roundup, that sort of stuff is ok."

Just to be sure, I'm following up on that link, Jim! ;)

[65hoss]

If your sure, go for it. Will help with revenue $$.

[Williams Services]

Far as I can tell, they only require a license for restricted use pesticides. Their list included:

chlordane
All formulations
All uses

aldrin
All formulations
All uses

endrin
All formulations
All uses

heptachlor
All formulations
All uses

dieldrin
All formulations
All uses