What are the advantages of aeration and overseeding?
Have you ever noticed that there always is that one house on the block that stands out with that spectacular curb appeal? It may have perfectly manicured trees with flowerbeds bursting with Daylilies and Coneflowers, all beautifully bordered with Hostas. Or is it that lush green lawn that screams perfection.
Of course, it can be a combination of all of these beautiful things, but what you need to keep in mind is this homeowner didn’t just magically have it happen. Instead, it required consistent lawn care and providing the yard with the nutrients it needs to flourish.
There are many aspects to lawn care, but the key to having a strong, healthy growing season is aeration and overseeding. So whether you choose spring or fall, keep in mind aeration should always be at the top of the list when trying to have that perfect curb appeal.
So that’s why our reliable team wants to give you some excellent ways to get great results when aerating and overseeding your lawn. Divine Lawns is ready to give El Dorado. Augusta and Towanda, Kansas, the best tips for aeration and overseeding.
How do you know if your yard needs to be aerated?
Did you know that your lawn can tell you precisely what it needs just by the color? If you look out and see a beautiful lush green color, you know that your lawn is getting the nutrients it needs and will bring you seasons of happiness. However, if you see that it turns brown or yellow, you know it needs some extra attention.
You may notice that you have puddles forming, and it’s looking thinner than usual; now, that can be a sign of soil compaction, which can cause extensive damage. The key is staying ahead of your lawn’s needs and creating a schedule to ensure things don’t get out of control.
What are the dos and don’ts of aeration and overseeding?
Aeration is the perfect solution if you want to give your lawn the oxygen it needs to flourish and help it jumpstart into a healthy growing season. Each time you aerate, it opens the soil to take in the nutrients it needs and helps to create quick access for overseeding. Aeration will also help remove thatch, a combination of debris and dead grass that makes the perfect haven for diseases.
So let’s begin with all the things you do want to remember when aerating your lawn. First, make sure you water the grass two days before aerating as you never want to aerate when the soil is too dry. If the soil doesn’t have enough moisture, the core aerator will not remove the soil plugs as easily, which will, in turn, block the airflow to the ground.
The next process you need to DO is cut your grass before aeration approximately 2 inches high, so you will be able to move the aerator through your yard without breaking your back. Keep in mind this is a hefty piece of equipment, and you want to move freely around your yard to get the best results.
Another thing you want to do is fertilize after you aerate, as the softened soil will make it the perfect time to feed the root system and add to that lush green appearance. Keep in mind that you should fertilize within 48 hours after aerating your yard. Now, if you are overseeding your lawn, don’t apply a fertilizer with weed control as you will be defeating the purpose because the weed control will stop them in their tracks.
You don’t want to pick up the nickel-sized soil plugs after aeration as they will decompose and add many nutrients back into the lawn. You also don’t want to aerate with small children or small pets around. Finally, you need to be aware of the area you are aerating as you don’t want to miss anything or possibly cause a hazardous condition with debris flying up and hitting someone.
Because aeration and overseeding go hand in hand, it is essential to ensure that both parts of this lawn care get the same attention so you get the best results. If you want a more robust root system and bring your lawn back to life, then overseeding areas of your lawn that could be thinning out or dying will be your quickest solution.
When you add seeds, you want to make sure you keep up with watering approximately ¼ of an inch a day for about three weeks, giving the seeds a chance to take hold and build up the root. One thing you DON’T want to do is to mow the grass after you overseed it for at least two weeks, as the mower can pull up the seed and cause more damage than when you started.
If you decide aeration and overseeding is the route you will be taking, then be sure to do a double pass with the core aerator to get up all the thatch and make a clean surface for the seeds to germinate.
One last thing to remember is if you are seeding your lawn, be sure to add top dressing; this process is when you add ¼ inch of compost over the top of the lawn, so it helps the seeds take hold and germinate faster. Be sure not to add too much compost as it can suffocate the lawn,
Why do I need to hire a professional lawn maintenance service?
Aeration and overseeding is not your typical outside weekend chore. It requires a heavy piece of equipment which most people don’t have sitting in their garage. So why not take that heavy load of worrying about how you will get everything done and let our dependable team do the job for you.
We can provide superior lawn care services right to your door, along with seasonal cleanups, lawn maintenance, and stump grinding. So it’s time to let us give you that star-studded curb appeal – and make your lawn Divine!
(316) 435-3509
office@divine-lawns.com
