07 Aug Aeration & Overseeding: The Dynamic Duo to a Healthier Lawn
A picture-perfect lawn is the pride of every homeowner, but over time, the soil beneath our feet can become compacted, putting a strain on the health and vitality of our beloved green spaces.
When our lawns don’t receive the right balance of airflow, sunlight, and essential nutrients, they become susceptible to pests, insects, and the relentless invasion of unsightly weeds. Thinning grass, uncontrollable weed growth, and dry, cracked spots in your lawn are all telltale signs that your lawn is crying out for attention.
Luckily, there is a powerful solution at hand – the dynamic duo of core aeration and overseeding!
How Will Aeration & Overseeding Benefit My Lawn?
Just like we need our daily dose of fresh air to recharge our batteries, the soil beneath our feet craves its own breath of life!
Core aeration is the process of introducing air into the turf by removing small cores of soil from the lawn using an aerator. This practice effectively combats the compaction of clay soil that is prevalent in our region. Compacted clay soil hinders proper airflow, nutrient absorption, and water penetration, which can lead to stunted grass growth and an unhealthy lawn.
We like to focus exclusively on core aeration to address this issue. By aerating your lawn, we create small channels in the soil that allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the grassroots, eliminating thatch, and promoting robust growth and healthier turf.
Often paired with core aeration, is the beneficial process known as overseeding. Overseeding is a process of applying grass seed directly into an established lawn after core aeration. This simple yet effective practice helps fill in thinning areas, improves grass density, increases root growth, and repels disease and insects.
After the core aeration process, we apply overseeding using a walk-behind spreader. This ensures that the freshly aerated soil provides an ideal environment for the new grass seeds to germinate and establish themselves.
When Does Aeration and Overseeding Need to be Done?
Timing is everything when it comes to aeration and overseeding – just like we have our favorite seasons, they do too!
In the Omaha Metro area, aeration and overseeding are typically done in the fall, and the process can start as early as August 15th. Aeration provides your soil with a refreshing breath of air before the winter sets in, while overseeding gets a head start, germinating easily before the cold weather. This dynamic duo promotes grass density, keeping your yard healthy and happy by crowding out those pesky weeds.
In the spring, it’s important to focus on aeration rather than overseeding and complement it with the use of pre-emergents. During this time, lawns face heightened weed competition, and pre-emergents play a vital role in keeping those unwanted weeds at bay. They are more crucial to your lawn’s health than overseeding at this stage.
By combining aeration and pre-emergents, you’ll effectively loosen the soil after the winter months and prevent weed seeds from germinating. This provides your lawn with a fresh start and creates an optimal environment for robust growth throughout the entire season!
Here’s an easy way to remember: double up on aeration in spring and fall, and reserve overseeding for fall only!
How Will I Know If Aeration & Overseeding Will Work For My Lawn?
Great news! No need to break out the shovels and start digging around in the soil to see if aeration and overseeding worked wonders for your lawn!
Leave that task to our expert crews. We know our way around the unique clay soil in our region, which can be a bit compacted and a tad smaller and flatter than sand grains. But don’t worry, compacted soil is something we handle like pros.
That’s why we use a specialized aerator for core aeration, and when it’s time for overseeding, we’ve got the perfect blend of 91% Fescue Grass and 9% Bluegrass. With this combo, your lawn will stand strong, even in the heat and cold.
So, how soon can you expect the magic to happen? Well, it depends on the type of grass you have. With Ryegrass and Fescue grass, you may start seeing results in about one to two weeks, and with Bluegrass, it might take around three weeks to flaunt its glory.
Give Your Lawn a Headstart with Fall Aeration & Overseeding
Don’t let your lawn bid farewell to the season just yet! Instead, seize the perfect opportunity to shower it with extra love and care through our fall aeration and overseeding services.
Give your lawn a headstart for next season’s growth and contact us today to learn more about fall aeration and overseeding services!