[Munnster006]

I have a nice short (dead/dormant for now) bermuda lawn with some random green grasses popping in random places and some weeds. When can I apply my first fertilizer? Weather here is not 60's yet at night (and probably won't be for another 30 days or so). I use Simplify (made by Koch industries) which is a slow release nitrogen.

Should I do the scalping now and should i take my rotary as low as 1? My lawn is fairly flat so i don't get many half moons when doing so.

Also, in terms of my Honda mower, should I do an oil change before the year starts?

Finally, when should I aerate? I don't think the prior owners ever aerated.

Help is appreciated!

 

[J_nick]

I think you're fine to scalp once any threat of deep freezes are over. Look at your extended forecast and if daily averages are 50°+ the Bermuda will start growing.

When you go to scalp take it down as low as you can. It will give you more room to go up as the growing season progresses.

I like to give the lawn mower a good once over. Make sure oil level is correct and air filter looks decent before the scalp. Scalping is a dirty job so I like to change oil and new air filter after it's done so I don't dirty up the new stuff.

If aeration is needed I would do it once the grass is growing aggressively to minimize recovery, June-ish timeframe.

No need pushing fert while the lawn is still dormant. I plan on waiting till I'm 80-90% green.

 

[Tellycoleman]

+1 on everything and soil test to get the right fertilizer while your waiting for green up

 

[Munnster006]

I assume you recommend bagging it for the scalp? Also, how do I handle weeds during the dormancy these next 30 days or so before the first fert?

 

[gijoe4500]

I assume you recommend bagging it for the scalp? Also, how do I handle weeds during the dormancy these next 30 days or so before the first fert?

Most people do bag the scalp. Pre-emergent if you haven't applied one already. Any weeds you miss, once they start growing good, hit them with a post-emergent weed killer. Which one will depend on what weeds you half.

 

[MasterMech]

Regarding your Honda mower, if you haven't changed the oil and have a previous seasons worth of mow time on it, I'd go ahead and do it after you scalp. If it's new, and you have 5-10 hours of time on it, I'd do an oil change anyways.

Post scalp is always a good time to remove and sharpen the blade as well.