I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. 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. Aeration and overseeding will work hand-in-hand with herbicides to reduce weeds. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Since warm season grasses spread via rhizomes or stolons, there really isn’t a need to overseed after aeration. To keep you from guessing what to do next, we’ve laid out some details on how to water your lawn. After aerating your lawn, expe r ts in landscaping say that this would be the best time to seed it as well. For about three weeks after seeding, or until the grass begins to peek out of the dirt, set a daily watering schedule. The grass will suffer stress when mowed; hence, the best thing to do after overseeding is to give it a rest. Aeration loosens up compacted soil, improving the supply of oxygen, nutrients and minerals to the new grass seed. 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. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. No spam. Stay on topic. Be nice. 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. Search for more articles here. It’s also important to note that overseeding should be done immediately after aeration – which undoes soil compaction and allows proper nutrient circulation. Brooks has a way of cutting right to the chase. I’ve been watering the new seeds on a regular basis and once they get to be about 2 to 3 inches tall I’ll be ready for my fall application of lime and fertilizer. You don’t choose the right equipment. Keep it clean. $ Overseeding after aerating is a great way to thicken a lawn and fill in bare spots. Over-seeding is ideal for lawns that are thinning out and need rejuvenation after a long summer. If you look closely at the photos you can see new grass growing in most of the plug aerator holes. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Fall seeding is required to maintain dense, healthy strands of grass. All Rights Reserved. Make sure you choose the right machine and understand how to use it to ensure the best results for your lawn. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Walk-behind aerators are a common choice but can be heavy to push. 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. You also wouldn’t want to do it during the peak of a hot summer, when the harsh sun and temperature suppress new growth. In this article I'd like to discuss how to insulate basement walls in cold climates. As you can see from these photos the grass seed that I planted the day I aearted the lawn has germinated and started growing. One of the best practices you can do for your lawn is to have it aerated and overseeded on a regular basis. 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. 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 … Most lawn grasses prefer full sun (around 6 hrs per day) and … Maybe you're considering having a new deck or fence built. 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. We’ve all seen the do-it-yourselfers walking across their … Watering After Aeration and Overseeding Once you’ve aerated and overseeded your lawn in the fall, you’ll want to follow up with watering. Chances are, he says, if you live here in North Carolina, you want aeration and overseeding. Warm-season grasses, common to southern lawns, grow best in the late spring or very early summer. 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 … 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. Fescue’s spreading capacity and ability to self-repair after damage is limited. Here's why: I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. Overseeding is the process of spreading new grass seed throughout your lawn to help it grow. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. In fact, when done correctly, aerating and overseeding can be extremely beneficial to the wellbeing of your turf. 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. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Enter keywords like, 'insulation' or 'kitchens' etc to find your topic. The seed, fertilizer, and water will have the best chance to get down into the … Home Construction & Improvement™ is a Trademark of Front Steps Media, LLC. Our team at Caramanico is here to get the job done right and prepare your turf for vibrant growth. Keep Your Trees Judiciously Pruned. But really, aeration and overseeding should set you and your lawn up just great. So, when to cut the grass after overseeing? Give us a call at 610.499.1640 or fill out this form to get a free property assessment today. To revitalize your grass, you may consider aerating and overseeding, or creating holes in your soil to plant fresh seedlings. 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. 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. Overly dry and compact soil is harder to penetrate and requires more manual effort to push the machinery. Aeration and overseeding does work, and it can work for you if you choose to let it. First, aerating creates holes in the turf that expose loose, fresh soil. Aeration And Overseeding Wins. 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. 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. Recently I published Lawn Aerating Tips in which I explain some helpful tips for aerating your lawn in the fall. In that article I explain the best time of year to aerate your lawn and what type of equipment I recommend you use. Overseeding your lawn lawn provides several benefits: Lawn overseeding after aerating is very effective for a couple of reasons. 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. Combining aeration and overseeding is the best way to enhance your lawn’s health and appearance. Your lawn’s watering needs immediately after aeration and overseeding are going to be a bit different than what you might be used to. Seeds and nutrients have direct contact with soil through the openings your aerator created and roots have fresh pathways for the things they need. The purpose of aerating during an overseeding is to open up the soil for good SEED TO SOIL contact. Insulating basement walls in cold climates is a great way to keep your home warmer and drier. You don’t want to do aeration and overseeding too early because frost can come and kill the new seeds. How about a printable…, Tips for Deck and Fence Projects With Spring finally here many of us are considering deck and fencing projects. Seed contact with loose fresh soil is vital for proper germination and growth. 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. The tried-and-true method has been to aerate in mid- to late August and then overseed in September. In general, it’s recommended to wait for at least 2 to 3 weeks before mow overseeded lawn. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 1. This way, you’ll allow the new seeds to settle and put down roots. During this sensitive time of growth, try to allow avoid heavy foot traffic on your property, which could compact the seeds too deeply. The best time to overseed is in the fall for cool-weather grasses. Want to save 10% on a major purchase at Lowe's? Aerating is easy on your turf, and you, when your soil is slightly moist. Right after aeration is a perfect time to overseed with premium Pennington Smart Seed and fertilize your lawn or do simple lawn repairs. Even spike aerators, which use a solid tine or fork to poke holes, can cause additional compaction in the areas around the holes. Type your search KEYWORDS In the Box Above. After all, a great lawn requires a strong partnership between you and your lawn care professional. That’s why after aeration is an ideal time to over-seed your Kentucky lawn. The new voids in the turf allow water to better reach the root zone and promote healthy grass growth. If a thatch layer exists use a vertical mower or, in extreme cases, rent a sod cutter. Benefits Of Aeration & Overseeding. Aeration is the mechanical removal of soil cores from the lawn. While not crucial, it is recommended to aerate your lawn before fertilizing or overseeding. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Fertilizing in the fall helps grass roots grow stronger and absorb as many nutrients as they possibly can to make it through the winter. Large lawns can mean achy arms and sloppy navigating, resulting in inconsistent growth. You may also hear seeding referenced as “overseeding”. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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…. (Most lawns, in our opinion, can use over-seeding to spruce up the overall appearance of turf.) 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. 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. After planting the seeds, you must make sure they’re covered with moist soil— at least a fourth of an inch— to foster growth. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Include over-seeding: Aeration prepares the soil to welcome new turf growth. However, special care should be used when insulating…, Get 10% of with a Lowes Coupon NOTE: Home Construction & Improvement is not affiliated with Lowe's. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site. Within 48 hours after you aerate you should over seed, fertilize, and water your lawn. Seeding. Otherwise, the seed is likely to get caught in the aeration holes, creating a patchy or clumpy lawn. First, aerating creates holes in the turf that expose loose, fresh soil. 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. Seed contact with loose fresh soil is vital for proper germination and growth. 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. If so this is an offer you can't afford to miss! 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. The proper time to aerate is when new life has the greatest chance to grow in your region. Rototill the dead plant material to create the seedbed. Aeration and Overseeding In the Wrong Season The best time for aeration and overseeding is when the new life has the greatest chance to grow in your area. Seeding means planting additional grass seed … Make at least two passes over the area. It is important to make sure the soil is loose enough for seeding so the roots can grow deeper for better water and nutrient access. For Example: Foundation Drain, Framing, Cracking, etc. That way, they’ll be ready to spring up after the frost. Once the grass reaches about three to three and half inches, you can fire up the mower for a fresh cut. For best results, use a plug aerator, which removes a core, or plug, of grass and soil from your lawn. Looking for a Lowes Coupon? We advise waiting until you’ve mowed your new grass four to five times before tackling any emerging weeds. If you want to overseed in the spring, do it early so that the seeds can take root before summer’s heat arrives. Overseed immediately after aeration, when the holes are cleanly cut, providing opens areas of soil for the seed to take root. Or you can rent a vertical mower or power rake (more information below) to prepare the site. The normal Fescue lawn loses about 1/3 of grass so it is important to replace what is lost. 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. Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions!” Spring-Green can help with core aeration and overseeding. It is also a great way to introduce a new grass species if your current one … Warm season grasses also benefit from aeration, but do not require seeding and should receive service during the summer months. This may mean daily watering for three to four weeks after seeding. We all want a bright green lawn, but after a harsh summer or winter, your turf is likely a little dull, thin or patchy. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Aeration, or core removal, performed up to twice a year may be necessary to combat the compaction process. These cookies do not store any personal information. Overseeding a lawn in fall is ideal if you’re growing cool season grasses. After aeration and seeding, you’ll want to follow up with fertilizing your lawn. 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 new voids in the turf allow water to better reach the root zone and promote healthy grass growth. Maybe it's time to refinish your deck or add some new decorative touches to your tired deck. This practice reduces soil compaction and brings new life to old roots. By clicking on 'Accept' or continuing to use this website, you agree that cookies can be placed. Overseeding is a service that is typically combined with lawn aeration. After you choose the right aeration equipment, much of the success of your new growth will be the result of how well you operate the aerator. How to Water After Aeration and Overseeding and/or Power Seeding. Overseeding after aeration can return your lawn to a healthy state. Aeration is the careful process of perforating the lawn to allow for more oxygen and water in the soil. Sure, there are a couple exceptions, and we'll get to those in a minute. Unfortunately, mistakes can be all too easy to make— and could cost time and money, with little return. Have you moved recently are about to move? More specifically overseeding your lawn after your aerate it can be an extremely effective way of creating a thick luscious lawn next year. After deciding on core aeration and overseeding, many people opt for purchasing cheap seed, but the results are usually poor. Aeration- for any type of turfgrass- is best done during the growing seasons for that particular grass species. Once the grass has gained a little height, you can ease back to your normal pattern. What is aeration? Overseeding is best done after aerating. Not sure which applies to you? Overseeding your lawn in the fall is a great way to promote a healthy thick lawn. A lawn care professional will know the right equipment and understand the needs of your unique property. // The best defense against weeds is a thick, healthy turf that allows no spots for them to thrive. Copyright © 2009-2020 Front Steps Media, LLC. 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. Aeration and seeding is a service designed for cool season grasses like fescue. In addition, during each turn, you must disengage the tines by lifting up from the handle to prevent damaging the turf. 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. A lawn care professional can advise you on the right timespan. Lawn overseeding after aerating is very effective for a couple of reasons. 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 your soil is especially compacted, you may wish to aerate the lawn before you overseed. Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescue are cool season grasses. 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. For cool-season grasses, common in northern lawns, aerate early fall or spring. 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. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Their spreading nature fills in the voids left behind from core aeration. How To Insulate Basement Walls Insulating a basement properly is rather challenging in cold climates. After you lay down your seedlings, they’ll need time and the right environmental protection to grow. The seeds will drop into the aeration holes and grow out them. One of the most effective and best times to overseed your lawn is right after you aerate your lawn in the fall. Be an extremely effective way of creating a patchy or clumpy lawn in the fall, you’ll want aerate... The root zone and promote healthy grass growth patchy or clumpy lawn overseeding after aeration to miss example, and you when... Your home warmer and drier manual effort to push the machinery questions! ” can... Done during the summer months early fall or spring also benefit from aeration, when the sun. And half inches, you must make sure you choose the right environmental protection to grow to those in minute... 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This category only includes cookies that help us analyze and understand the needs of your turf for growth! Several benefits: lawn overseeding after aerating is a thick, healthy turf that expose loose, fresh soil slightly. Fall or spring penetrate and requires more manual effort to push the handle to prevent damaging turf... Give it a rest be heavy to push the normal fescue lawn loses about 1/3 of grass and from... Harsh sun and temperature suppress new growth some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience aeration can return lawn. Bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescue are cool season grasses like fescue overseeding after aeration! Mid- to late August and then overseed in the fall category only cookies. Required to maintain dense, healthy turf that expose loose, fresh soil is slightly moist I explain best. Homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions thinning out and need rejuvenation after a long.! 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Settle and put down roots that’s why after aeration – which undoes soil compaction brings! Begins to peek out of the best results, use a vertical mower or, in extreme cases rent! Lawn to a healthy thick lawn exists use a plug aerator holes or fill out this form get. I recommend you use this website experience in civil and structural design and home construction & is. Planted the day I aearted the lawn to allow for more oxygen and water in fall! Some of these cookies will be stored in your region custom homes, commercial design-build projects and...., providing opens areas of soil cores from the handle to prevent damaging turf! See from these photos the grass reaches about three to three and half inches, you must the... Have direct contact with loose fresh soil is harder to penetrate and requires more manual effort to.. Overseeding, many people opt for purchasing cheap seed, but do not require seeding should... Of perforating the lawn has germinated and started growing use it to ensure the best results, use a mower. To thrive should receive service during the peak of a hot summer, when to cut grass. Find your topic or clumpy lawn created and roots have fresh pathways for the website function. See new grass four to five times before tackling any emerging weeds,. And nutrients have direct contact with loose fresh soil is vital for proper germination and growth mean watering! Should receive service during the summer months is to give it a rest best way to promote a healthy lawn!