The Q's and A's of Aerating and Overseeding

 Our customers often ask how to achieve a much desired thick, green, healthy lawn. In contrast to what some may believe, early Fall is in fact the ideal time to rehab your lawn.

Our foreman aerating a lawn in preparation of seed.

 Although Springtime is often associated with growing green grass, it is actually counteractive to put seed down during this time of year and simply pray for good results. 

This is due to dreaded crab grass and broadleaf weeds that thrive in the spring. They invade and suffocate our lawns. Applying a targeted fertilizer will indeed kill off the invasive issue at hand, however it also unfortunately inhibits seed germination. It becomes an exhausting cycle that only gets more challenging as the hot, dry, summer months roll in. 

But! You watered at dawn and at dusk all summer long…you may even have an irrigation system, how could this be? The truth is watering itself does not create a lawn, it maintains yes, but you need two other major elements; seed and fertilizer.

 

Seeding after dead grass has been scraped up by an aerator is highly effective & successful.

So, where do go from here? Summer is coming to and end, the cooler weather is setting in, and the ground has not yet hardened. Finally! It is now time for an aeration and overseed. 

Using an aerator is extremely beneficial after a stressful summer. It scrapes up any compacted areas of dead grass left behind, allowing water and nutrients to seep into the soil. 

Next comes the overseed, which will now be highly successful after an aerate. Dewy autumn mornings keep the soil moist also aiding in seed germination. All that is left in the process is patience, patience, patience!

In two weeks time your lawn will be transformed. You will see the seed has done its job and your patience has paid off. You now have the foundation of a beautiful, healthy lawn!