Aeration Promotes New Growth
It is recommended for homeowners to aerate their lawn before fertilizing and seeding. This is because it gives the granules and seeds a better opportunity to take hold and penetrate the soil. Aeration also ensures that the roots of your lawn have more room to move and grow.
For best results, contact your local Weed Man professional. Our technicians are trained to aerate at the right time, giving you the most bang for your buck and the best-looking lawn in the neighborhood.
Preparing Your Lawn For Overseeding
Seed germination and establishment requires good contact of seed with soil. Inspect your lawn for presence of thatch. If too thick, its best to aerate your lawn before overseeding or if filling in patches remove the thatch and dead grass before spreading seed in bare areas of your lawn. To prepare your lawn for overseeding, cut the grass short, using the lowest setting on your mower. Dont forget to reset the blades to a higher setting after the overseeding is complete and resume a normal mowing height as you typically dont want to cut the grass this short. If cutting your lawn short before overseeding, bag the clippings. While you might normally leave them to help feed the lawn, you want to remove the clippings so that the grass seed can make good seed:soil contact for faster germination. After mowing, rake your lawn to remove any remaining debris and thatch, and to loosen the top layer of soil.
Does Aeration And Overseeding Work
While the idea behind aeration might sound like it makes sense to you, you might be wondering does it really work? Will putting all those holes throughout your yard actually make a difference in how your lawn looks?
Without a doubt, the answer is yes. The best case-and-point we can provide is a recent job we completed for our commercial client, ArtsQuest, which puts on Musikfest every August. Musikfest is a Lehigh Valley staple and it attracts thousands. In fact, Musikfest 2017 set a new attendance record with 1,196,000 attendees to the event . Simply put, its a lot of people! And when all of those people, as well as vendors, equipment, and vehicles, trample through the grass for 10 days, its probably no surprise that the grass is going to be destroyed.
That was certainly the case this year. After Musikfest 2017 wrapped up, the grass was completely brown. The compaction of the soil and the heavy traffic was simply too much. So we got out there and provided our lawn aerating service, as well as overseeding with high-quality grass seed.
The result? Well, just look at the pictures. If youre asking does aeration and overseeding work? then this is the perfect example to illustrate that answer. Yes, it absolutely does. If aeration and overseeding can bring a lawn back to life that was completely browned out and dying, just imagine what it can do for your lawn.
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Avoid Diy Lawn Aeration
Renting a lawn core aerator has definitely crossed your mind. Why not rent the machine and tackle this project yourself? After all, how hard could it be? Lawn core aerators are very bulky and awkward machines, making them extremely difficult to transport and maneuver. Plus, you may have to consider renting a truck for a day as these rental aerators dont exactly fit comfortably in your family vehicle.
Here at Lawn Pride, our quality, commercial-grade plug aerators ensure that the job gets done right. Our representatives are trained to handle these machines so you dont have to. Our commercial aerators also guarantee every single hole is dug deep and they are consistent across your whole yard.
At Lawn Pride, we have invested in the very best equipment and we know the exact time of year and the exact environmental conditions your lawn will benefit the most from aeration. The optimal time to aerate is during your grasses peak growing season.
When done at the precise time, with the proper equipment, and handled by a professional who knows lawns inside and out, your yard will be the thicker, healthier, and more beautiful yard you have hoped for.
Overseeding after aeration will more effectively fill in bare spots and help thicken your lawn. A thick lawn is the best defense against weeds.
How Lawn Aerators Work
Lawn aerators use rows of spikes or hollow tines to penetrate the soil, cutting through the thatch and breaking up compacted soil to allow air, water, and other nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. Aerating your lawn promotes the decomposition of organic matter, helping to fertilize the grass.
Aeration also encourages deeper and stronger roots, making your lawn more resistant to heat, drought, and insects. Using a lawn aerator can help your grass grow thicker, greener, and more robust.
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Why Do You Need To Aerate Your Lawn
Although there are still many things to be learned about lawn aeration, theres one thing most experts agree on and that is that opening up the turfs surface is beneficial for it. Air and water are essential for the soil ecosystem and the soil microorganisms in it which help naturally break down thatch thus improving the lawn.
Good drainage conditions and adequate topsoil air intake are very important for the proper growth of grassroots as they help them breathe and grow. By aerating the soil, youre permitting air to enter into the soil, which leads to gaseous exchange. Meaning that the grassroots suck in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
Having too much carbon dioxide in the soil is not good as it can limit or completely prohibit its water and nutrients intake.
However, by thoroughly aerating an area where browning has occurred, you can restore to roots ability to intake moisture again. And if done right your grass colour will return to its regular green in just around a week.
On the other hand, if the lawn is not aerated during the cold rainy seasons such as autumn and winter completely different problems can occur. For example, your soil might experience surface sealing because of the compacting effect of walking around and using garden maintenance machines that are on the heavier side.
What To Do After Aeration
After you finish aerating your lawn, let soil plugs or extra soil dry where they fall. They’ll break down in rain or crumble the next time you mow, adding beneficial soil and organic matter to your lawn surface.
Right after aeration is a perfect time to overseed with premium Pennington Smart Seed and fertilize your lawn or do simple lawn repairs. 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 combination can help put your lawn on the fast track for quick seed establishment and thicker, lusher growth.
By adding aeration to your annual task list or doing regular compaction tests to check for need, you help ensure your lawn can reach its full potential for thickness, health and beauty. Pennington is committed to providing you with the finest in grass seed and lawn care products to help you achieve your lawn goals.
Pennington and Smart Seed are trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.
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Picking The Wrong Time Of Year
We have already covered the best time of the year to aerate and overseed your lawn, but some people will still do this project at the wrong time of year and be disappointed with the results.
It can be hard to wait when youre ready to tackle a big lawn renovation, but dont waste your time and investment because you were impatient. Your lawn isnt going anywhere.
Harsh winters and hot summers will cause problems for seed growth if you overseed later than you should in the fall or spring.
Furthermore, you should avoid aerating soil when it is too dry because it will be harder for the machine to break through and the plugs wont come out of the tines cleanly.
When To Aerate Your Lawn In Spring
Aeration is best done during the growing season. At this stage, once solid particles are expelled, the grass can rejuvenate and replenish any porous area.
One of such growth season is spring. However, you have to be conscious of the type of grass on your lawn. The cool-season grass such as fescue and ryegrass is ideal for aeration in the early spring, while the warm season grass such as soft-leaf buffalo, Couch, Kikuyu, and Zoysia, is ideal for late spring.
Following a comprehensive lawn care plan for Spring like the one I made can help get the timing right an lots of things like aeration.
It is also recommended that aeration is done during the same period you are fertilizing or executing any other prominent lawn care maintenance, including dethatching and top dressing. Aeration after rainfall is quite ideal as it will make this process much simpler.
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Aeration Equipment Affects The Outcome
The type of aeration equipment can determine how effective the treatment will be. In general, turf responds best when core holes are close and deep. Equipment with hollow tines removes soil cores. Equipment with open tines divots the soil surface. Aeration equipment also varies in tine size up to 3/4 inch diameter and in depth of penetration up to 4 inches, depending on the manufacturers specifications.
It Helps Control And Prevent Weeds
In conversation with a more experienced gardener than I, we were discussing the merits of lawn aeration, and whether I should do it or not.
Do you get a lot of dandelions?
Yes.
Aerate your lawn.
It was that simple.
Lawn aeration helps prevent weeds by loosening the soil and not allowing the pesky, undesirable plants to take hold, and the hope is that new seeds or existing grass will simply crowd them out.
Furthermore, if youre using a lawn-friendly weed killer, aeration will help it to get right down into the soil and be more effective just as it does with air, water, and fertilizer.
Try some of these suggestions if you want to learn how to get rid of lawn weeds without using harsh chemicals.
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Topdressing To Improve Results
Soil that doesnt have the proper nutrients can cause bare patches in the grass. If your soil isnt great, topdressing is recommended and can be done alongside the aeration and overseeding. Topdressing involves spreading a thin layer of composted manure over the lawn. The overseeding is then done over this so the new seeds can get the nutrients from the topdressing. This can help prevent compaction in the future, improve the nutrient levels of your lawn, and help to increase the soils ability to hold onto water so a drought wont impact the grass as much. It also allows the new seeds to be in full contact with the nutrients they need, which helps them grow.
If your lawn is looking thin, has bare patches, or is suffering from weeds and other issues, aeration and overseeding may be a great idea. Done during the fall months, this can provide a number of different benefits. In fact, you may be able to see a dramatic improvement in your lawn in only a few weeks after the aeration and overseeding is done. Contact us today to learn more about whether your lawn can benefit from aeration and overseeding or to schedule a time to have it done. Your lawn is going to look fantastic and may look as great as your neighbors yard once your grass starts to grow again.
How To Prevent Soil Compaction
You can avoid making soil compact by using the lawn less. Control traffic and limit the area you use or the time you spend walking on your lawn. Use the same paths. Avoid walking on the lawn after rain or irrigation when the soil is still wet. Damp soil compacts easily from pressure. Avoid placing anything heavy on your lawn. Remember that the more pressure your lawn experiences, the more compact the soil gets.
You can mow the lawn less frequently to avoid causing excessive soil compaction. But if you have to mow your lawn often, consider using a lawnmower that weighs less. Big ride-on and zero-turn mowers are heavy. You can compact the soil fast if you use heavy machinery to mow the lawn. Dont mow if you notice that the lawn is still wet. Let the soil dry after rain, watering, or irrigation. Riding a mower on damp soil is a sure way to compact the soil fast. Control traffic and limit the time you spend mowing your lawn. Try to mow the lawn in straight lines.
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Aeration Helps Keep Lawns Properly Watered
Compacted soil can form a surface that repels water and will dry out your lawn because irrigation water rolls off. Conversely,it can absorb water and not drain, making it saturated.
Aerating your lawn will help with both of these problems. The aerator will create regularly spaced, open channels into your lawns soil. These open shafts will let excess water evaporate from saturated soil and let irrigation water soak into dry soil. Plus, because theres less water runoff, youll save money on your irrigation bill.
When Should I Aerate
The best time to aerate warm season grasses, such as soft-leaf buffalo, couch, kikuyu and zoysia is during spring and summer while they are actively growing. You can aerate at any time of the year, but if you do so in the cooler months just keep in mind the grass wont cover over the aerated holes as it is dormant. Always try to aerate at the same time you are fertilising or performing any other major lawn care operation such as dethatching and top dressing. It is also a fantastic time for aeration after rainfall, as it will make this process much easier.
For cool season lawns, such as fescue and rye grass, the same principle applies. With proper care and a lot of water, cool season lawns can grow all year so you can aerate all year round. Again, keep in mind the absolute best times are when you fertilise or perform any other lawn care and following rainfall, so soil moisture levels are high.
Aerating is often overlooked, but its importance in allowing air, water and nutrients to get into the soil cannot be overstated.
After aerating in spring is a perfect time to fertilise your lawn.
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Addresses Soil Compaction & Improves Fertilizer Treatments
Aeration also helps with reduced soil compaction. Our regional soil can become easily compacted but aeration helps to improve the overall soil structure. Thats important because compacted soil does not allow for proper circulation of oxygen, water, and nutrients. This means that youre also have improved fertilization treatments. Because the soil is looser, the fertilization products will be able to penetrate the soil the way that they need to.
How Do I Know If My Lawn Needs Aeration
Lawn aerating shouldnt be viewed as a routine maintenance activity. Aerating the lawn when it isnt necessary weakens the grass and could lead to pest or disease problems. Instead, watch for indications of compact soil, such as worn areas, puddling, thin or dead patches, discolored grass, uneven growth, or thatch buildup. Any one of these symptoms could indicate the need to aerate.
If you think your yard needs to be aerated, perform a screwdriver test. Using any type of screwdriver with a 6-inch blade, attempt to push it into the soil. If you meet with some resistance, it could be time to aerate. If you cant push the blade into the soil all the way up to the handle, you should definitely aerate the lawn.
It would also be helpful to aerate before overseeding the lawn. Mow the grass low, then aerate the yard prior to applying lime, fertilizer, and seed. Doing so will help the grass seed stay put if it rains before germination. It also helps to promote healthy root development.
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Which Is Better Spike Or Plug Aerator
Plug aerators are usually more effective at relieving compaction in lawns with a heavy clay soil since the solid tines used on spike aerators compact the clay soil further when they push into the ground. … Soils that crumble easily are usually high in loam and sand which benefit more from the use of a spike aerator.
Should I Water Lawn After Aeration
During the first two weeks following your aeration and seeding service, the main goal is to keep the ground/seed moist while the seed begins to germinate. We recommend that you water each day for at least 20 minutes in all areas of the lawn .
How Much Should lawn aeration cost?
Professional Lawn Care Aeration and Treatment The cost to aerate your lawn by hiring a lawn care company is about $15 to $17 per thousand square feet. The average lawn size is about ten thousand square feet, making the average aeration cost around $150.
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Aeration Reduces Problems Due To Thatch
Because core aeration helps to remove and break down excessive thatch, it also helps to remove the dense barrier that hides and protects insect pests and promotes lawn diseases. As a result, youll have a healthier and more attractive lawn without needing to spend more money on pest or disease treatment.
When Should I Get My Lawn Aerated
The timing of your lawn aeration treatment depends on the type of grass you have. Cool-weather grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and ryegrass should be done when the weather begins to cool, during late summer and through the fall. Warm weather grasses should be aerated when the weather is warm, between late spring and summer.
At Lawn Pride, we recommend our customers in the Indianapolis area aerate their lawns in the fall. The combination of cooler Fall weather and heavy rainfall make this the perfect time to aerate a lawn.
Additional benefits of fall aeration include: Increase of lawns drought tolerance Noticeable improvement in overall lawn health Provides new seeds time to grow strong roots before next summer
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