Lawn Vac

[mike_44012]

So after I RU, scalp and dethatch, I'm thinking about renting a lawn vac to remove the thatch. The theory is that it would remove more of the weed seeds versus raking and bagging it up. It's only about 2,500 sq feet so I think it wouldn't be too bad. Has anyone tried this?

[simpson]

Just round up, scalp , put seed out, roll lawn, top dress and water. I don't think a lawn vac is going to do what you are looking for.

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[mike_44012]

I really do wish I could skip the dethatching but I have a thatch layer 3/4 inch thick (some places 1 inch). I just don't see how seed would germinate.

[simpson]

What makes u think you have that much thatch?

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[mike_44012]

I took samples with a soil probe in a few spots

[simpson]

I can't see on my phone where you are located? When are you planning on a reno?

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[simpson]

Im guessing that you are going to reno this fall. Why not dethacth this spring and put your pre emrg down. Then come fall round up fallow the soil scalp and seed?

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[eriocaulon]

For 2,500 sq.ft., I would just rake and bag. As for seeds, I would do it as part of your fallowing preparation rather than just before seeding. You are right. There is no telling what weed seeds lie in and below the thatch. Maybe it's just me, but i'd rather rent a slit seeder (for soil prep only) rather than a dethatcher. heck, for 2,500 sq.ft. you might even try dethatching by hand with a dethatching rack. just do 250sq.ft at a time so as not to make it a backbreakig chore.

[mike_44012]

The reno will be next fall. I'm in Northeast Ohio. I never thought of dethatching in the spring before pre-emergent. That makes a lot of sense! I will also look into the slit seeder. Thanks guys!

[nothing0]

Why put down pre-em? Let the weeds sprout then nuke 'em.

[mike_44012]

Great point! By the way, I checked my local rental place's web site and they carry Billy Goat and Classen slice seeders. Does anyone have a recommendation? Also, what type blade type works best for dethatching?

[simpson]

Why put down pre-em? Let the weeds sprout then nuke 'em.

Good call I never even thought about that. I guess its a second nature anymore

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[eriocaulon]

There are a lot of ways to skin a cat. I still think spring pre-m is needed. It won't take much for crabgrass and other summer annuals to hit and they often go to seed in no time. Not sure what your schedule for fallowing would be but I was under the assumption it was a few weeks before seeding. Either dethatcher or slit seeder should do the job--just personal preference.

[GaryCinChicago]

Also, what type blade type works best for dethatching?

Spring tines only.

[MorpheusPA]

There are a lot of ways to skin a cat. I still think spring pre-m is needed. It won't take much for crabgrass and other summer annuals to hit and they often go to seed in no time. Not sure what your schedule for fallowing would be but I was under the assumption it was a few weeks before seeding. Either dethatcher or slit seeder should do the job--just personal preference.

+1. Letting the weeds go on a fallowed lawn is a recipe for having a boat-ton of weeds by midsummer. Crabgrass claims it only sprouts in April and May, but lies convincingly so you're looking the other way come July. I've seen the stuff come up whenever it durned well pleases throughout the season.

[mike_44012]

Does pre-m damage the seeds when it comes into contact or will seeds still germinate after it wears off?

[simpson]

They pre emerg will keep the seeds from germinating during the spring after the dethaching. Once it wears off seeds can then germinate again.

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[MorpheusPA]

They pre emerg will keep the seeds from germinating during the spring after the dethaching. Once it wears off seeds can then germinate again.

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For most of them, not quite. They'll kill sprouting seeds by dessicating the roots, but won't do anything for the seeds that are still there. Some disrupt the plant's ability to grow roots, killing them.

Once it wears off, it stops killing the new plants.

[eriocaulon]

For most of them, not quite. They'll kill sprouting seeds by dessicating the roots, but won't do anything for the seeds that are still there. Some disrupt the plant's ability to grow roots, killing them.

Once it wears off, it stops killing the new plants.

+1. It is almost like fallowing the seeds that germinate because the seedling dies out. No reason not to use it as long as it won't affect your grass seeding period. It is one reason, I have almost no poa annua left--no core aeration and faithful spring/fall pre-m coverage. The seed liability at the surface becomes less and less.