Pre and Post Service Check List.

Fertilization / Pest Control

    • Measure backyard access width and ensure it is 36 inches at the smallest point (If aerating or overseeding, access must be 48 inches)

    • Mow your lawn 1–2 days before service to allow fertilizer granules to fall closer to the soil surface.

    • Water your lawn lightly the day before service if conditions have been dry—slightly moist soil improves absorption.

    • Remove all items from the lawn, including:

      • Lawn furniture

      • Toys and sports equipment

      • Hoses and sprinklers

      • Pet waste or debris

    • Mark all hidden hazards or irrigation components (sprinkler heads, shallow wires, valve boxes, etc.) with flags or small markers.

    • Close windows and doors near turf areas to avoid potential drift from granular or liquid applications.

    • Keep pets indoors during service and secure gates if necessary.

    • Avoid applying other treatments or watering immediately before our visit, unless discussed with our team.

    • Notify us if your lawn has recently been treated with herbicides or pesticides—this can affect the timing or method of application.

    • Water the lawn within 24 hours, unless rainfall occurs naturally. This helps activate the fertilizer and begin nutrient absorption.

    • Keep children and pets off the lawn for 24–48 hours to avoid chemical exposure.

    • Do not mow for at least 2–3 days to allow fertilizer to fully settle and begin working into the soil.

    • Avoid additional treatments (herbicides, weed & feed, etc.) for 2–3 weeks to prevent chemical overload.

Core Aeration

    • Measure backyard access width and ensure it is 48 inches at the smallest point

    • Mow your lawn 1–2 days prior to service at normal height (not scalped).

    • Water your lawn thoroughly the day before (½–1 inch of water). Moist soil allows for deeper, cleaner core removal.

    • Flag all underground hazards, including:

      • Sprinkler heads

      • Invisible fences

      • Outdoor lighting

      • Shallow irrigation lines or landscape wires

    • Remove all obstacles from your lawn such as:

      • Furniture

      • Debris

      • Yard decorations

      • Toys or tools

    • Keep pets and children inside during the service window and ensure all gates are unlocked.

    • Do not mow or water the day of service—aeration works best on recently watered but not muddy soil.

    • Let us know if your lawn has been recently seeded or sodded (within 6–8 weeks)—we may recommend adjusting service timing.

    • Leave the soil plugs on the lawn—they will break down naturally over the next 1–2 weeks and help topdress your turf.

    • Water the lawn deeply within 24–48 hours, especially if the soil is dry. This helps roots grow into the newly aerated channels.

    • Avoid mowing for 3–5 days, or until plugs have visibly started to break down.

    • Limit heavy foot traffic on the lawn for at least 24–48 hours to avoid compacting the freshly loosened soil.

    • Consider overseeding or fertilizing within 24 hours of aeration for best results—open cores help nutrients and seed penetrate the soil more efficiently.

    • Don’t be alarmed by an uneven look—the plugs and holes will disappear as the lawn recovers and fills in.

Overseeding

    • Measure backyard access width and ensure it is 48 inches at the smallest point

    • Mow your lawn short (1.5–2 inches) the day before service—this gives seed better access to the soil surface.

    • Water lightly the evening before service to soften the top layer of soil (especially if it’s dry), unless rain is forecasted.

    • Clearly mark all hidden hazards (sprinkler heads, shallow wires, lights) to protect them and our equipment.

    • Remove all items from the lawn:

      • Furniture, toys, tools, hoses, lawn decor

    • Avoid using any herbicides or weed control products in the 2 weeks before service—residual chemicals can harm new seedlings.

  • Watering Schedule

    • Days 1–10 (Germination): 2–4 times per day

      Light, ~5–10 minutes each

      Keep top ¼" of soil consistently moist, not soggy

    • Days 11–21 (Establishment): 1–2 times per day

      Medium, ~10–15 minutes

      Encourage deeper root growth without drying out topsoil

    • Days 22–30 (Transition): Once daily or every other day

      Heavier, ~20 minutes

      Begin transitioning to typical lawn watering; moisten 4–6" deep

    • After Day 30: 2–3x per week

      Deep soak, 30+ minutes

      Normal lawn schedule; water deeply and infrequently to encourage root depth

    • Do not mow until new grass reaches at least 3–3.5 inches in height. This often takes 3–4 weeks depending on weather and grass type.

    • Avoid foot traffic on newly seeded areas for at least 2–3 weeks—this is when seedlings are most fragile.

    • Do not apply weed control products (pre-emergent or post-emergent) for 4–6 weeks post-seeding. These can kill new grass before it establishes.

    • Expect uneven growth at first—some seed germinates faster. This is normal and will fill in with time.

    • Don’t rake or disturb the soil—doing so will displace seed and reduce germination success.

    • Fertilize again in 4–6 weeks to support the continued growth of your new turf.