Aerating and Overseeding for a Better Lawn

Fall is the best time for aeration and overseeding

Aeration and overseeding are important services for a healthy lawn. Although lawn care factors like fertilization and proper mowing are important aspects of a lush, green lawn, if you’re not having aeration and overseeding done, your lawn isn’t going to be as thick and healthy as it could be. Aeration is actually one of the most important things that you can do for your lawn and it makes a huge difference.

 

What is Aeration and Why Do I Need It?

Simply put, aeration is the process of making small holes throughout the lawn by pulling soil plugs (also referred to as “cores”) from the soil. This allows more oxygen, water, and nutrients to get down deep into the soil to the root system—where they’re really needed. By developing stronger roots, you’ll have an overall healthier lawn. That equates to a lawn that is thicker and greener—exactly the kind of lawn that you’ve been seeking.

Aeration is important for all lawns—but it’s particularly important in our region where our clay soil can become easily compacted. When soil is compacted, it doesn’t allow for good circulation of oxygen, water, or nutrients. Without those important factors, your lawn is simply not going to thrive.
But aeration helps break up that compaction and allows those elements to circulate. It also helps break up thatch, which is naturally occurring, dead organic material that can build on top of the soil. Thatch looks a lot like clumps of thick grass and it’s not an attractive problem to have. But besides aesthetics, thatch can also cause problems such as making your lawn more prone to disease and pest concerns.

In terms of overseeding, the reason why it’s important to seed at the time of aeration is because the process of creating those holes throughout your lawn also generates better seed-to-soil contact. That gives your new grass seed a better chance at germinating.

An aerated lawn also has the added benefit of being less prone to weeds. That’s because the best natural defense to weeds is a thick, healthy lawn. With your lawn thriving, and fewer thinned out spots across it, weeds won’t have a chance to pop up.

 

When Should I Aerate?

It is ideal to aerate every year. Given the clay-like conditions of the soil in our region, making this an annual service will give your lawn the best possible chance to thrive. In terms of exactly when to have the service performed, we recommend aerating in the fall, which is also the best time for overseeding.

Why should you seed in the fall? Well, the fall weather creates the perfect growing conditions for seed germination. That’s because the ground is still warm but the air is cool. This combination is perfect for new seedlings. When it’s hot and sunny, it puts a lot more stress on new grass to survive. Although a lot of folks think of spring as a time of growth (and it is), when it comes to overseeding, fall is definitely ideal.

 

Aerate for a Better Lawn

If you’re looking to do something that will have a big impact on your lawn’s health, then make a point to have it aerated every fall. Though it’s often overlooked, aeration is such an important service. And pairing it with overseeding will help ensure that you continuously maintain a thick, healthy lawn.

At Exscape, we know that lawn aeration and overseeding are incredibly important and we encourage you to make these services part of your annual routine. The end result will be a thicker, healthier lawn that you can fully enjoy.

Make sure to contact Exscape Designs now for your Fall Lawn Maintenance and Color Enhancement Visit.  Aeration and overseeding in the fall leads to a beautiful, lush, green lawn next spring!