Want a Thicker Lawn? Aeration & Overseeding is the Answer!

Aeration and overseeding go hand-in-hand – schedule time with one of our representatives or keep on reading to learn more!

What steps can you take to get a more lush, vibrant lawn? The answer is aeration and overseeding! Fall is the best time for this, too, offering cool temperatures that are optimal for robust grass seed growth. The prime window for planting spans from late August to the end of September. During this period, the soil retains warmth from the summer sun while the air temperature becomes cooler, creating an ideal environment for nurturing grass seeds. Aeration and overseeding go hand-in-hand – keep on reading to learn more:

What is Aeration?

Lawn aeration, or core aeration, entails the extraction of small plugs or cores from the lawn’s surface. A mechanical aerator is used which creates perforations in the lawn. Then, you add fertilizer and grass seed. This systematic approach contributes to enriching the soil’s oxygen content, relaxing its structure, and introducing supplementary seeds that will sprout come springtime. Typically, this technique is recommended to combat soil compaction in well-trodden turf areas and to curtail excessive thatch accumulation. Once the aeration process is complete, overseeding takes center stage, augmenting the lushness of thinner lawns. By seeding over the existing grass (paired with proper post-installation watering), your lawn’s vibrancy and verdure will be promptly restored.

What is Overseeding?

Overseeding your lawn refers to the practice of spreading additional grass seed over an existing lawn. This is done to enhance the density, thickness, and overall health of the grass cover. Over time, lawns can become thin or develop bare patches due to factors such as heavy foot traffic, diseases, pests, or environmental stressors. Overseeding helps rejuvenate the lawn by introducing new grass seed into these areas, promoting the growth of fresh, young grass plants. This process could include things like mowing to remove the thatch layer (so dead organic matter doesn’t stop the growth for new grass seeds). It often also includes spreading your desired grass seed using a spreader. There is also maintenance to consider – as the new grass seedlings grow, continue to regularly water, mow, and fertilize.

Some benefits of doing an aerate and overseed on your lawn are:

• Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere
• Enhanced soil water uptake
• Improved fertilizer uptake and use
• Reduced water runoff and puddling
• Stronger turfgrass roots
• Reduced soil compaction
• Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance
• Improved resiliency and cushioning
• Enhanced thatch breakdown