As you’re taking steps this spring to get the greenest, lushest grass possible for your lawn, don’t forget this combo move: aeration and overseeding.
Aeration is the process of removing small plugs, or cores, of dirt at regular intervals throughout a lawn. This cuts through compacted soil, introducing much-needed oxygen and water to starved roots. Well-aerated soil promotes healthy grass, and it also creates a perfect home for new grass seed, allowing it to thrive.
Overseeding is the term for when you spread new seed over an existing lawn, and it’s an effec-tive way to get dense, thick grass. The new seed fills in bare spaces amid the older grass, and the root systems grow stronger against pests and drought. The result is a softer, denser, healthier lawn.
But when should you aerate and overseed a lawn? Summer is too hot and dry, and winter is not an option (you’d have to cut through ice and snow, plus the seeds would fail to germinate). That leaves spring vs. fall. Here’s what you need to know.
Spring Aeration vs Fall Aeration
The timing of when you choose to aerate and overseed a lawn is actually really important. Think about it: soil temperatures, air temperatures, germination, growth cycles — the season, the month, and even the day you choose will have an effect on all those variables.
At Grass Master, we recommend aerating and overseeding in the fall, because it’s better for the lawn. Fall aeration takes into account your grass’s natural root expansion, and helps it pre-pare for the winter by giving it room to spread and strengthen its root system. As the tempera-tures cool down, the grass isn’t fighting against blistering hot sun, either, and can focus on root growth. Plus, aerating in the fall is good timing as the cold-weather season approaches, giving the soil “breathing room” for the inevitable freeze-thaw cycles to come.
Aerating in the fall is the perfect prep for overseeding, too, creating a spacious, welcoming environment for all those new seeds to take root. Lots of water, oxygen, and vitamins can reach the developing root systems of the baby plants, setting them up for success.
If you were to aerate and overseed in the spring, you might be creating the perfect environment — for weeds. They, too, love loosened, oxygenated soil and lots of nutrients. The weed seeds then fight with the grass seeds to take over, putting all your hard work and effort to waste.
You’re also putting your lawn at risk of disease, since spring weather often brings mold, mildew, and fungus. Aerating at this time gives these disease vectors a straight shot to your lawn’s root system.
That’s why Grass Master prefers a fall aeration and overseeding to give your lawn the best chance at strong healthy growth.
Core Aeration and Overseeding Services
You can count on the lawn professionals at Grass Master to execute the perfect lawn care routine for your lawn. Contact our experts to learn more about our core aeration and overseeding programs for this fall and get your lawn lush, green, and healthy.
