Overseeding your lawn in the fall is a great way to promote a healthy thick lawn. The normal Fescue lawn loses about 1/3 of grass so it is important to replace what is lost. Their spreading nature fills in the voids left behind from core aeration. Maybe it's time to refinish your deck or add some new decorative touches to your tired deck. While not crucial, it is recommended to aerate your lawn before fertilizing or overseeding. Aeration And Overseeding Wins. By clicking on 'Accept' or continuing to use this website, you agree that cookies can be placed. Aeration- for any type of turfgrass- is best done during the growing seasons for that particular grass species. Seed contact with loose fresh soil is vital for proper germination and growth. That's because the soil is still warm enough for seeds to germinate and the cool air helps grass to grow a strong root system. Warm season grasses also benefit from aeration, but do not require seeding and should receive service during the summer months. 1. To keep you from guessing what to do next, we’ve laid out some details on how to water your lawn. Type your search KEYWORDS In the Box Above. I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. Maybe you're considering having a new deck or fence built. As you can see from these photos the grass seed that I planted the day I aearted the lawn has germinated and started growing. The new voids in the turf allow water to better reach the root zone and promote healthy grass growth. In that article I explain the best time of year to aerate your lawn and what type of equipment I recommend you use. After deciding on core aeration and overseeding, many people opt for purchasing cheap seed, but the results are usually poor. This time varies depending on your area and the type of grass you planted; for example, fescue and ryegrass typically take about 10 to 14 days to germinate, while Kentucky bluegrass might take up to four weeks. We all want a bright green lawn, but after a harsh summer or winter, your turf is likely a little dull, thin or patchy. Here in Pennsylvania, cool air and moist soil in the fall and spring make it the perfect time to lay fresh turf, helping to build greater resistance against disease, insects, and drought. Insulating basement walls in cold climates is a great way to keep your home warmer and drier. Enter keywords like, 'insulation' or 'kitchens' etc to find your topic. They’ll need to acclimate and set roots before the first mow, so during the first two to four weeks post aerating and overseeding, don’t mow. Even spike aerators, which use a solid tine or fork to poke holes, can cause additional compaction in the areas around the holes. Or you can rent a vertical mower or power rake (more information below) to prepare the site. We’ve all seen the do-it-yourselfers walking across their … Overseeding after aeration can return your lawn to a healthy state. Taking the time to properly aerate and seed your turf will put your lawn in a position to thrive naturally, without the assistance of excessive chemicals. The seeds will drop into the aeration holes and grow out them. The purpose of aerating during an overseeding is to open up the soil for good SEED TO SOIL contact. If your soil is especially compacted, you may wish to aerate the lawn before you overseed. It’s also important to note that overseeding should be done immediately after aeration – which undoes soil compaction and allows proper nutrient circulation. No spam. One of the most effective and best times to overseed your lawn is right after you aerate your lawn in the fall. A common mistake rookie aerators and overseeders make is thinking that the natural rain cycle will provide all the water you need, but a few days without moisture could mean bad news for a new seed. Otherwise, the seed is likely to get caught in the aeration holes, creating a patchy or clumpy lawn. Watering After Aeration and Overseeding Once you’ve aerated and overseeded your lawn in the fall, you’ll want to follow up with watering. Unfortunately, mistakes can be all too easy to make— and could cost time and money, with little return. The proper time to aerate is when new life has the greatest chance to grow in your region. Seeding means planting additional grass seed … What is aeration? Be sure to avoid these seven aeration and overseeding mistakes to get the thick, healthy look you desire: We’ve all seen the do-it-yourselfers walking across their lawn in cleats, poking holes in the soil. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. During this sensitive time of growth, try to allow avoid heavy foot traffic on your property, which could compact the seeds too deeply. Warm-season grasses, common to southern lawns, grow best in the late spring or very early summer. Keep in mind, though, that if you aerate before overseeding, you need to choose a type of grass seed that spreads easily, such as bluegrass. After you lay down your seedlings, they’ll need time and the right environmental protection to grow. Look for an aerating tool or machine that removes soil plugs approximately two to three inches deep and roughly half to three quarters of an inch  in diameter, about two to three inches apart. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. A lawn care professional can advise you on the right timespan. Keep Your Trees Judiciously Pruned. Looking for a Lowes Coupon? Most lawn grasses prefer full sun (around 6 hrs per day) and … This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Aeration and overseeding does work, and it can work for you if you choose to let it. This may mean daily watering for three to four weeks after seeding. This can be time-consuming, so instead, some operators will lift and spin the whole unit when it’s time to turn, potentially causing compaction and bare spots later on. Here's why: Overseeding a lawn in fall is ideal if you’re growing cool season grasses. Since warm season grasses spread via rhizomes or stolons, there really isn’t a need to overseed after aeration. For most residential lawn care professionals, this means using a drum aerator and a mechanical overseeder.The walk-behind drum-type aerator is the industry staple due to price. You don’t choose the right equipment. Search for more articles here. For Example: Foundation Drain, Framing, Cracking, etc. The main reason why you should not mow your lawn immediately after core aeration is that you are much better off mowing before you aerate. Overseeding your lawn lawn provides several benefits: Lawn overseeding after aerating is very effective for a couple of reasons. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. After all, a great lawn requires a strong partnership between you and your lawn care professional. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. After aerating your lawn, expe r ts in landscaping say that this would be the best time to seed it as well. Fescue’s spreading capacity and ability to self-repair after damage is limited. If a thatch layer exists use a vertical mower or, in extreme cases, rent a sod cutter. For cool-season grasses, common in northern lawns, aerate early fall or spring. After planting the seeds, you must make sure they’re covered with moist soil— at least a fourth of an inch— to foster growth. A lawn care professional will know the right equipment and understand the needs of your unique property. Large lawns can mean achy arms and sloppy navigating, resulting in inconsistent growth. For more information, check out our, Spring Lawn Fertilizer With Crabgrass Preemergent, Lawn Care Tips for Father’s Day from John Deere, More Home Improvement Cost Savings articles », DEWALT Table Saws DWE7480, DWE7490X, DWE7491RS, Overseeding promotes a thicker healthier lawn, New seedlings compensate for the natural slow down in grasses reproduction, A thicker lawn prevents weeds and promotes disease resistance. First, aerating creates holes in the turf that expose loose, fresh soil. (Most lawns, in our opinion, can use over-seeding to spruce up the overall appearance of turf.) Overly dry and compact soil is harder to penetrate and requires more manual effort to push the machinery. Even organic and natural solutions can cause stress on the young plants, so it’s often best to wait until your grass is strong before laying down any weed control substances. That way, they’ll be ready to spring up after the frost. To revitalize your grass, you may consider aerating and overseeding, or creating holes in your soil to plant fresh seedlings. Fertilizing in the fall helps grass roots grow stronger and absorb as many nutrients as they possibly can to make it through the winter. Seed contact with loose fresh soil is vital for proper germination and growth. Make at least two passes over the area. Overseeding is a service that is typically combined with lawn aeration. If you aerate after spreading seed you will get no seed into the holes and have no better seed to soil contact than not aerating … Chances are, he says, if you live here in North Carolina, you want aeration and overseeding. One of the best practices you can do for your lawn is to have it aerated and overseeded on a regular basis. Lawn overseeding after aerating is very effective for a couple of reasons. So, when to cut the grass after overseeing? Weed control can work wonders keeping invasive growth at bay on a healthy turf, but chemicals and herbicides can harm seeding’s roots and fresh blades. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. Aeration is the careful process of perforating the lawn to allow for more oxygen and water in the soil. If you want to overseed in the spring, do it early so that the seeds can take root before summer’s heat arrives. Once the grass reaches about three to three and half inches, you can fire up the mower for a fresh cut. Overseeding is the process of sowing grass seed over areas where there is already grass, unlike reseeding, which is the process of starting a lawn from the ground up. Another reason why you shouldn’t mow a freshly aerated lawn is that it’s the best time to do your overseeding and fertilization (allowing that seed and fertilize to drop into those new holes. Aeration, or core removal, performed up to twice a year may be necessary to combat the compaction process. The tried-and-true method has been to aerate in mid- to late August and then overseed in September. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Want to save 10% on a major purchase at Lowe's? For best results, use a plug aerator, which removes a core, or plug, of grass and soil from your lawn. Overseeding After Aerating Your Lawn If you have gone to the trouble of aerating your lawn you really should take full advantage of the situation and I feel adding fresh grass seed to your lawn is a good idea after aeration. If you look closely at the photos you can see new grass growing in most of the plug aerator holes. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. After aeration and seeding, you’ll want to follow up with fertilizing your lawn. More specifically overseeding your lawn after your aerate it can be an extremely effective way of creating a thick luscious lawn next year. Keep it clean. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescue are cool season grasses. Fall seeding is required to maintain dense, healthy strands of grass. The seed, fertilizer, and water will have the best chance to get down into the … Aeration and seeding is a service designed for cool season grasses like fescue. All Rights Reserved. Once the grass has gained a little height, you can ease back to your normal pattern. Lawn Aeration Sets the Optimal Foundation for Overseeding When a lawn is freshly aerated — with plugs of soil removed from the turf — the same tiny holes that allow water, air and nutrients to circulate also provide nests for grass seeds. Our team at Caramanico is here to get the job done right and prepare your turf for vibrant growth. Recently I published Lawn Aerating Tips in which I explain some helpful tips for aerating your lawn in the fall. Be nice. Include over-seeding: Aeration prepares the soil to welcome new turf growth. Overseeding after aerating is a great way to thicken a lawn and fill in bare spots. The new line includes 3 new models; DWE7480 - 10" Compact Table Saw, DWE7491X - 10" Table Saw with Scissor Stand, and DWE7491RS - 10" Table Saw with…. Right after aeration is a perfect time to overseed with premium Pennington Smart Seed and fertilize your lawn or do simple lawn repairs. In fact, when done correctly, aerating and overseeding can be extremely beneficial to the wellbeing of your turf. In this article I'd like to discuss how to insulate basement walls in cold climates. Home Construction & Improvement™ is a Trademark of Front Steps Media, LLC. Spring is the perfect time to plan these projects…, New DEWALT Job Site Table Saws Models DWE7480, DWE7490X, and DWE7491RS DEWALT recently introduced a new line of portable table saws that include significant updates and features. You wouldn’t want to aerate and overseed too early, before the last frost hits for example, and kill the seeds. Learn how your comment data is processed. The most important aspect of overseeding (whether you do it in the fall or earlier in the season) is providing enough water to prevent the seed from drying out. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Overseeding is the process of spreading new grass seed throughout your lawn to help it grow. Aerating is easy on your turf, and you, when your soil is slightly moist. Together, core aeration and overseeding help combat lawn diseases and stresses and thicken the lawn with new grass plants ready to take hold in previously bare areas. It is also a great way to introduce a new grass species if your current one … These cookies do not store any personal information. Make sure you choose the right machine and understand how to use it to ensure the best results for your lawn. At the heart of the mechanics is a tine wheel that rotates and relies on weight for tine penetration and offers a fixed hole pattern that typically produces four to … You may also hear seeding referenced as “overseeding”. Give us a call at 610.499.1640 or fill out this form to get a free property assessment today. For about three weeks after seeding, or until the grass begins to peek out of the dirt, set a daily watering schedule. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. Being mindful of these seven aeration and overseeding mistakes can certainly help create the beautiful turf you long for, but landscape maintenance can be time-consuming— and there’s a lot of dos and don’ts along the way! The grass will suffer stress when mowed; hence, the best thing to do after overseeding is to give it a rest. Especially during times of drought when you grass is already stressed, it’s best to wait until the day after a good rainfall before aerating. If so this is an offer you can't afford to miss! Aeration is the mechanical removal of soil cores from the lawn. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Rototill the dead plant material to create the seedbed. That’s why after aeration is an ideal time to over-seed your Kentucky lawn. Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions!” Spring-Green can help with core aeration and overseeding. First, aerating creates holes in the turf that expose loose, fresh soil. This practice reduces soil compaction and brings new life to old roots. You also wouldn’t want to do it during the peak of a hot summer, when the harsh sun and temperature suppress new growth. Benefits Of Aeration & Overseeding. But it does mean choosing a trustworthy and professional lawn aerating and seeding service in Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton, PA that is going to give you the desired results by using top-of-the-line equipment and high-quality grass seed. How to Water After Aeration and Overseeding and/or Power Seeding. Brooks has a way of cutting right to the chase. Instead of investing in an aeration machine, they think aerating is just about creating holes— but actually, the concentrated force of stepping with a spiked shoe further compacts your soil. The new voids in the turf allow water to better reach the root zone and promote healthy grass growth. Stay on topic. But really, aeration and overseeding should set you and your lawn up just great. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. How To Insulate Basement Walls Insulating a basement properly is rather challenging in cold climates. Sure, there are a couple exceptions, and we'll get to those in a minute. Overseeding is best done after aerating. Aeration and overseeding will work hand-in-hand with herbicides to reduce weeds. Have you moved recently are about to move? Combining aeration and overseeding is the best way to enhance your lawn’s health and appearance. Aeration loosens up compacted soil, improving the supply of oxygen, nutrients and minerals to the new grass seed. Not sure which applies to you? 7 Aeration and Overseeding Mistakes You Should Avoid, aerating and overseeding can be extremely beneficial, removes soil plugs approximately two to three inches deep, Kentucky bluegrass might take up to four weeks, ← 6 Reasons to Hire Professional Landscapers to Fertilize Your Commercial Property, Prepare Your Commercial Property for Snow & Ice Early with these Tips →, Alicia Lupold – Property & Project Manager. We advise waiting until you’ve mowed your new grass four to five times before tackling any emerging weeds. // The best defense against weeds is a thick, healthy turf that allows no spots for them to thrive. Ryegrass and fescue are cool season grasses the late spring or very early summer this would be best. Compacted soil, improving the supply of oxygen, nutrients and minerals to the wellbeing of your for. 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To overseed your lawn in the turf that expose loose, fresh soil is to! Best time of year to aerate your lawn care professional contact me if you want aeration overseeding... After the frost height, you must make sure you choose the right machine and understand how to water aeration! Three weeks after seeding, or core removal, performed up to twice a year may be to. A rest: the purpose of aerating during an overseeding is a great way to a! Results for your lawn in the aeration holes, creating a patchy or clumpy lawn use a aerator...