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VTVOICE
Joined: 01/12/2000
Posts: 28,594
Likes: 12,373
VTVOICE
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The air is 70, but the dirt is 45. Those cold nights are keeping the seeds

in hibernation. Give it another week for the soil to catch up to the air before you go buying more seed. Also, if that spot is as compacted as I think it is from the dogs, the seed might just be struggling to get a foothold. Next time, poke some holes first so the seed has a 'bunker' to grow in. Is Aeration and Seeding Worth It? Since you mentioned this is a high-traffic dog area, aeration is actually your best friend, but maybe not for the reason you think. Dogs don't just "wear out" grass; they compact the soil. When soil is packed hard like concrete, roots can’t breathe, water can't penetrate, and new seed just sits on top like bird food. For a high-traffic dog zone, doing a core aeration once a year (ideally in the Fall) is worth every penny. It punches holes that allow the soil to "relax" and gives your seed a protected place to grow. Normal Yard: Every 2 years. Dog/Kid Zone: Annually.
Posted: 04/13/2026 at 10:23 AM ET
(In response to this post by JoesterVT)

Thread Replies (35)

Full Thread →
Ok lounge lawn gurus...a little help please....
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 11:53 AM ET
The air is 70, but the dirt is 45. Those cold nights are keeping the seeds ◄
VTVOICE • 04/13/26 10:23 AM ET
@Spudnut mentioned aeration as well. Ok to do that now?
JoesterVT • 04/13/26 10:33 AM ET
Yes, but Fall is optimal for regular lawn maintenance. You can rent an
VTVOICE • 04/13/26 10:45 AM ET
obviously a "plug" type is best, but will the spike variety do in a pinch?**
JoesterVT • 04/13/26 10:48 AM ET
Spikes are okay if your soil is already somewhat loose, but in a
VTVOICE • 04/13/26 10:58 AM ET
I'm working on a relatively small area for now, and I don't mind using...
JoesterVT • 04/13/26 11:04 AM ET
Since it’s a small dog-traffic area, don’t be shy with the holes. Aim for a
VTVOICE • 04/13/26 11:09 AM ET
thanks**
JoesterVT • 04/13/26 11:11 AM ET
If you have a probe type kitchen thermometer, check the ground temperature.
Galenahokie • 04/13/26 09:50 AM ET
hmm...could be the problem...
JoesterVT • 04/13/26 09:52 AM ET
Who in the Lounge has not been sold some bad seed in the past...???**
great2bahokie • 04/13/26 09:32 AM ET
Maybe I could have explained "bare ground" better
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 09:16 PM ET
Found it's best to seed in the fall, allows the grass to put down roots
7Hokie1 • 04/12/26 08:57 PM ET
That's a no go for me because of the heavy traffic
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 09:13 PM ET
“I put it down on bare ground”. There’s 90% of the problem. Ground is
DonHo-kieHi • 04/12/26 08:46 PM ET
Asking the lounge advice on bad seed?
Coach McGuirk • 04/12/26 05:04 PM ET
Patience**
Stork • 04/12/26 02:13 PM ET
I'm hoping....how long?**
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 02:14 PM ET
Need to plant seed in the fall to establish the roots
Spudnut • 04/12/26 04:59 PM ET
Yeah, it was a beautiful patch of grass in November...
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 09:31 PM ET
One like this per my post below**
Spudnut • 04/13/26 09:31 AM ET
Get a hand aerator. Punch lots of holes
Spudnut • 04/12/26 10:05 PM ET
Usually 7-10 days. Those coatings they put on those seeds, also sometimes
Stork • 04/12/26 02:18 PM ET
We'll see. Oddly, I don't see any "coating" on the seed.
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 02:44 PM ET
They coat almost all seeds these days. It’s a giant racket. They say it’s
Stork • 04/12/26 03:33 PM ET
While I don't disagree, Stork...
MP4VT2004 • 04/12/26 03:43 PM ET
Try Titan RX seed from Southern States
Spudnut • 04/13/26 01:45 PM ET
I’m probably more dedicated than most when it comes to watering. So I don’t
Stork • 04/12/26 05:22 PM ET
I'm with you; however, I have a "poor man's" irrigation system...
MP4VT2004 • 04/12/26 05:27 PM ET
That ground should already have enough nitrogen in it.**
IB4TECH • 04/12/26 01:05 PM ET
No sh@t! Or on this case, yes Sh@t....**
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 01:27 PM ET
Do you still have the bag for the seed that you used?
MP4VT2004 • 04/12/26 12:59 PM ET
No, I chucked the bag. But yeah it was from Lowe's
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 01:26 PM ET
I never had lasting success with that stuff. **
ColoVT82 • 04/12/26 12:53 PM ET
I bought some of that once. Tried to use it twice. Same outcome as you.
PhotoHokieNC • 04/12/26 12:46 PM ET