Where do you live? The aeration and fertilizing is a good idea, but the grass seed you are laying down might be a waste of seed unless you are doing a dormant seeding, or you live in place where it will be in the high sixties, low seventies for the next 6-8 weeks. If you have a grub problem, then you usually want to treat the area in the late summer/early fall. The insecticides used for grub control are not the nicest chemicals, and you only want to use them if you have a grub problem, otherwise you will just be causing harm to other insects that are benign or beneficial. In the spring you want to apply preemergents, which will prevent seeds from germinating, and that's pretty much all seeds, including any of the grass seed you might be trying to grow. If you have a crabgrass problem then you can use siduron, which will not affect your fescue seed.

I live in Monroe NC 28112 and the right time to spread seeds around here is in October.. yes I think applying a layer of pre-emergent will be the right call. Will it be possible to spread some more grass seeds again in Oct if I apply the layer in the spring?

Yes, preemergents last about 6-8 weeks in general, some longer, some shorter, depends on what you are using, so read your labels. Timing your preemergent is very important. Too early, the preemergent might not work very well, too late, and you missed germination of weeds. I think where you are, since you have such a long season you will have to do multiple applications throughout the spring and summer. I think I read somewhere that when soil temperatures are above 50 degrees consistently (taken in the morning before the sun is on it) is when you should apply your preemergents.

'Optimum air temperatures for tall fescue germination are 68 to 77°F and soil temperatures greater than 60°F'

Taken from the below link...if the average highs in your area are now in the mid-upper 60's, and by the end of November (4 weeks) they are in the mid-upper 50's, soil temps are likely not going to be conducive for germination or good growth for much longer.

Good luck to you (not being a smart-aleck either), but you should've done this the end of Sept./beginning of Oct.

I learned my lesson, planted my tall fescue mid-Sept. in northern Ohio (which is the late end of the recommendation), had 1 week of nice weather to start with, then crappy ans cool the past month+. Laid down about 10 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. and I will be doing some dormant overseeding, as I figure I had only about 60% germination.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tall fescue NC

thanks guys for all the good info.. I will try and get the seeds down at the beginning of Oct next year.. and I sure will have a good trimming for the pre-emergents..

whodaz,

I came across a product that is a pre-M but supposedly safe for seeding (at least some types). It's active ingredient I believe is Tupersan and they claim you can put it down in the spring along with your seed.

I had a really bad KGB seeding this fall and really don't have a choice about seeding in the spring since it's so sparse (and it's too late to plant more).

This could be the way to go if you want to seed in the spring. Personally unless I was reseeding a new lawn (or fixing a failed seeding from the fall before) I'd avoid even thinking about seeding in the spring. I expect even with the pre-M that it will not be a fun experience.

enigma7, that sounds like a perfect idea.. whats the name of the pre-emergent so that I can get it?

"whats the name of the pre-emergent so that I can get it?"

Look for Tupersan or Siduron. One of those is a brand name and the other is the name of the ingredient (I can never remember which is which because it's not important to me).

Be prepared for sticker shock.

Siduron/Tupersan is one of the few selective preemergents on the market, but it is only effective against crabgrass, barnyardgrass, downy brome, giant foxtail, green foxtail, and yellow foxtail. It doesn't hurt to use it in the fall, but it is better used when seeding in the spring, when most of the new weed seeds germinate. Also some turfgrasses are not as tolerant as others with Siduron/Tupersan. Tall fescue happens to be very tolerant.

Scotts Step 1 "For Seeding", Greenview Seed Starter Fertilizer plus Crabgrass Preventer, and Preen New Lawn Crabgrass Preventer Plus Seed Starter Fertilizer should be available at local garden centers &/or "big box" stores. I'm sure there are other brands, those are just ones I've seen around.