[klaaar]

A friend of the family called and asked for help in re-establishing turf in certain areas of the lawn, which had been destroyed by grubs, apparently. There were several dead patches, one around 900 square feet. The new client wanted dethatching and seeding. I recommended core aeration as well. Only thing was I discovered yellow granules on the lawn (in April). Not having a wealth of experience with this combination of factors, I proposed to dethatch, pull plugs, and apply seed. I was careful to caution the client that the presence of pre-emergence herbicide may hinder germination and success of the new grass.

Client claims he watered, but after 2.5 weeks little new growth. I hit the lawn again at no charge last week. I haven't seen it since then, but client called today expressing concern.

Incidentally, the company that applied pre-emergent had no contract to do so, and didn't charge the client. Should I advise the client to go after that company for more than a free 'treatment'? Should I shoulder most or all of the blame if the lawn can't be successfully seeded until August? Maybe I should have proposed to expensively remove and replace the topsoil.

[GLAN]

Why should you be held responsible?

Heck no.

[TrickyDick]

If someone esle was applying ferts to his lawn he should have checked to see if they put down a pre-em before he had you seed it. Sounds to me like his problem for not knowing or finding out before hand. Not your fault.

[Dale Wiley]

A friend of the family called

There's your first problem. These never turn out good....

Incidentally, the company that applied pre-emergent had no contract to do so, and didn't charge the client.

and now you are on the hook for everything....

[Fine Edge]

If you had a feeling that pre-emergent was applied, you probably should have insisted that seeding would not be beneficial and let them find someone else if they absolutely wanted their lawn seeded. Not much you can do once the pre-emergent is applied.

[Lanelle]

Recommend sod. Charge them full price.

[klaaar]

I should have checked in w/ you folks before proposing anything, I'm thinking. Thanks for the opinions and support.

[Fine Edge]

Good Luck!

[klaaar]

Lo and behold: The company that applied the pre-emergence CHEMicals feels responsible for the lawn's struggles, I am told. They promise to contact us to try to work something out. I'm amazed. I'll post again after the next chapter.

[GLAN]

You should not be held responsible for at least trying to seed.....but.


Knowing that a preemergent was applied......I am wondering why you even tried?

[klaaar]

I was hoping that dethatching and core aeration would serve to break up the chemical barrier. Also, I figured seed in the bottom of aeration holes would escape the herbicide, and germinate successfully. I was mostly right: the majority of the holes did sprout grass, but there are certain areas where broadleaf weeds took hold before grass could. Since I did not do the work myself, I can't say without doubt that seed got into every single hole, like it should have.

GLAN: did you ever try spring seeding after pre-emergence herbicide was applied?

[GLAN]

Yes I have.....mixed results

But did realize that as long as I no longer saw the product on the soil surface........the better chance there was of seed germination.

[klaaar]

Its an inexact science, isn't it?

Anyway, here is a direct quote from the contract with the client:
"Pre-emergence herbicide applied earlier this year may well affect the germination rate of the grass seed; therefore, we cannot guarantee complete success of the new lawn."

Regardless of my foolishness, and the skill or lack thereof of my employees, I think that the primary cause of this problem was a "trained" technician applying pre-emergence herbicide over wide expanse of dead lawn.

Got to run. Will post after CHEMical company calls me.

[Dale Wiley]

The method of control by most pre em's is shoot tip inhibition. This is accomplished by various means, but usually there is a chemical barrier in the soil, and as the shoot tips try to go through they contact this barrier and are killed.

Most pre em's with turf labels for weed grass control are of this type. Cultivation and exposure to sunlight are real quick ways to deactivate most of these types.

They depend upon a continual barrier for control and if the barrier is spotty, or fractured, it usually reduces control.

[GLAN]

Right Dale.......That has been my understanding all along..........and I have found that I can spot seed in as little as 3 weeks after the application as long as I broke up the bare spot realy well. I wouldn't get the best results, but enough to satisfy.


Now as far as the trained technician applying to wide open areas of no lawn.....Well where would you expect crabgrass and other weeds take hold first?.........bare spots.