Did You Prepare Your Lawn For Aeration
If you are following the correct procedure for aerating your lawn then you should have prepared your lawn for aeration by giving it a mow.
Mowing your lawn before you aerate it is a vital step as it enables you to clearly see where you have put holes in your lawn.
If you attempt to aerate your lawn and the grass is long it will be near impossible to see where you have already put holes in the ground so you wont be able to accurately and methodically cover your whole lawn in holes in the position you need them.
You will still be able to stick holes all over your lawn if you havent mowed it but it means its more guesswork than using an accurate method which means you may over aerate some patches and completely miss some other areas.
Before you aerate your lawn you should clear any debris from your lawn and rake any loose grass from the surface.
I water my lawn a few days before I aerate it as it is easier to make holes in soft ground compared to brick-hard ground however you dont want to be aerating a wet lawn, especially if you use a core aerator as the cores may not come out and the holes may close up if the soil is too wet.
What To Do After Aerating Lawn: 7 Useful Tips And Tricks
Having the best lawn in the neighborhood isnt the easiest thing to achieve, but its certainly possible!
One of the most essential steps of lawn care that is often skipped, is aeration. Aerating your lawn is not an easy job, but it definitely pays off!
Aeration allows the air to reach the grass roots and also improves nutrient and water absorption. After aeration, your lawn is damaged in a way because there are small holes all over it, but there are a few tips and tricks on what to do after aerating lawn so you can benefit more from aeration.
Whether you decide to call a lawn maintenance service and let them do the job, or you want to take matters into your own hands, read on to learn lots of tips and tricks to help you have the lushest and most vibrant lawn ever!
What Should I Put On My Lawn After Aerating
Heres the clincher.
Not all fertilizers are made equal.
This means you must choose the right fertilizer after aerating the lawn.
What does it matter?
Suppose youve got pets or are sensitive to products and chemicals yourself. In that case, you may find that products containing glyphosate and 2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid can be ingested or breathed in and lead to adverse reactions such as breathing difficulties, nausea, and vomiting.
Some fertilizers may be too strong and burn your lawn.
Applying a slow-release fertilizer directly after lawn aeration is the most effective way of getting nutrients down to the grassroots.
This will help your lawn establish itself for the upcoming summer heat. The well-fertilized lawn will be thick and lush too.
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Should I Overseed After Aeration
Dont overseed before aeration. Its better to add the seeds after the aeration is complete. Its a common practice to oversee the lawn right after aerating because its the perfect time to do it. The seeds are likely to fall into the holes right after aeration. This is good because it guarantees good seed-to-soil contact.
Having good seed-to-soil contact is essential for successful germination. The seed needs to be in touch with the soil to grow. Its the contact with the soil that allows the seed to absorb water and nutrients. Bad seed-to-soil contact means that the seed will stay dormant for longer because of the delayed sprouting.
How To Aerate Your Lawn
Aeration is hard work. Not only that but the bigger your lawn, the harder the work.
If you have a particularly large lawn, your best bet is to hire a lawn maintenance company. Theyll make sure your lawn is aerated correctly, and theyll take the necessary steps to ensure that your grass stays healthy year-round.
Plus, you can just kick back while someone else does all that hard work!
A lawn care professional will also be able to help your lawn by analyzing your soil type, grass health, and the best time of year for aeration. And lawn care professionals will have a range of machines with different-sized tines and weights for the best amount of penetration for your soil.
If you have a smaller lawn , you can take a crack at aerating your lawn, yourself. If thats your plan, youre in luck. We have all the information youll need to get started.
But first, there are two important decisions youll need to make.
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Lawn Aeration And Overseeding In Cincinnati
Getting the lawn you desire takes some work on everyones part, but we know our conscientious customers that follow these steps deserve the credit for successful aeration and seeding.
If youre looking for lawn aeration and overseeding services in Cincinnati, Dayton, Oh, or Northern Kentucky, wed love to answer any questions you have.
Get a quote today and choose the lawn care program thats right for you. Then sit back and relax as your ugly lawn turns into the one youve always dreamed about.
Should I Aerate Before Leveling
Re: Mechanically Aerate BEFORE Level? Yes but if you leave them, they’ll break down and eventually your soil will be exactly the same as it was before aeration. Removing and filling will sand will allow the aeration to be a more permanent solution for water and nutrient infiltration deeper into the root zone.
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Why You Should Aerate Your Lawn
Heavy recreational use, active pets, foot traffic and even lawnmowers can compact the soil under your lawn. That impedes root growth and can lead to thatch, a combination of slowly decomposing grass stems, roots and debris that gradually accumulates at the soil surface and keeps water from penetrating.
Aerating regularly helps build healthier soil and limits thatch build-up, so air, water, nutrients and even grass seed can reach the root zone.
Things To Do After Aerating Your Lawn
Before you aerate your lawn, know your goals. Your goal could be to increase the density of your grass and fill in any thinning or bald patches. Or your goal could be to decrease the number of weeds in your yard and increase the health of your existing grass.
Once you know your goals and what products you will need, you can come up with a plan on how to apply them. Below are 6 things you may want to do after aerating your lawn. Remember to only apply the steps that work with your goals and consider the directions on any products you have purchased when developing your after-aeration plan.
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Ask About Grass Seed Quality
While youre having a conversation about aeration, ask your lawn care company about the quality of grass seed they use. Seed blends can have an impact on the pricing of this service as some companies may cut corners. However, a good lawn care company should be using a premium mix of Turf Type Tall Fescue in order to give you optimum results.
Is There A Bad Time To Aerate Your Lawn
As stated earlier, the best time to aerate a lawn is before the growing season.
The growing season will vary depending on the grass. For cool-season grass, spring and fall will be the best seasons. For the warm season grass, you should choose late fall. You should never choose any other season to aerate your lawn unless there is some sort of emergency.
If your lawn is suffering from flooding then it is best to aerate it no matter what time of year it is.
Also, the worst season will vary depending on the grass type.
- For warm-season grass, late summer to early fall will be the worst time to aerate.
- For cool-season grass, it is early winter that would be the worst time to aerate.
You will have to give seeds at least six weeks to germinate before the winter weather arrives.
If the growing season has passed, it is better to wait for the next growing season instead of choosing the wrong time to carry out the work.
You should always choose the growing season since it creates a favorable environment for seeds to grow properly. They can access water, fertilizer, and other nutrients and can grow into a thicker lawn.
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Can You Walk On Lawn After Aeration
No, you shouldnt walk on your lawn after you have just aerated it. In fact, one of the steps after aerating your lawn should be to not walk on it.
Walking on the lawn will cause compaction and it can prevent seeds from sprouting and the soil from getting all the oxygen and nutrients it would otherwise get if the area was left to rest for a while.
How To Care For Your Lawn After Aeration
Its natural to want a lovely landscape without expending too much energy or dedication. Achieving this desirable lawn is done through basic lawn care practices like aeration. Aeration helps your plants and grasses to grow, and knowing how to care for a lawn after aeration makes a world of a difference. Your lawn must be cared for properly after the aeration process in order to maintain its helpful effects. The benefits of caring for your lawn properly after aeration far outweigh the requirements. Let us show you how you can truly master your lawn to create a scenery of immense enjoyment for you and your family.
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You Dont Know How To Use Your Aeration Machine And Accidentally Damage Your Turf
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. Walk-behind aerators are a common choice but can be heavy to push. Large lawns can mean achy arms and sloppy navigating, resulting in inconsistent growth.
In addition, during each turn, you must disengage the tines by lifting up from the handle to prevent damaging the turf. This can be time-consuming, so instead, some operators will lift and spin the whole unit when its time to turn, potentially causing compaction and bare spots later on. Make sure you choose the right machine and understand how to use it to ensure the best results for your lawn.
What Type Of Aeration Machine To Choose: Mechanical Or Manual
Manual or electric tools can be used for aeration. These include:
Both methods are equally good for creating grass health.
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Aerating And Overseeding Your Lawn In Fall
Fall is arguably the most photogenic season, and guess what? It’s finally here!
The Fall months are well known for lots of earthy colours, pumpkin-flavoured everything, and crispy cool hoodie weather, but it’s also a great time of year for lawn care. After a stressful Summer, all that cool weather translates to optimal growing conditions for your lawn. Addressing any damage done in Summer, preparing for a rough Winter, and setting yourself up for a successful Spring are all tasks that can be tackled in Fall.
Aerating your lawn and adding new seed are two such jobs that should be done at least annually. Scheduling both these services for the Fall will help you wrap up the growing season in good shape, and put your lawn in a good position come Spring.
Let’s dive further into what these two services are, and how they benefit your lawn.
What Is The Best Lawn Fertiliser To Use After Aeration
Your aerated lawn will benefit greatly from fertilisation as soon as 48 hours afterwards. Experts recommend applying a starter fertiliser that is compatible with your specific grass variety and growing conditions. If you have overseeded your lawn, choose a starter fertiliser that does not contain weed control, otherwise your grass seed will not germinate properly.
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Common Aeration And Overseeding Mistakes
In any landscape, aeration and overseeding are important tasks to perform to help improve soil quality and increase plant productivity. However, many common aeration and overseeding mistakes can be easily avoided if you are familiar with the correct techniques. Here are five tips for aerating and overseeding your landscape:
How To Aerate Fertilize And Over Seed Your Lawn
Spring and fall are good times to aerate, fertilize and over seed your lawn so air, water, and nutrients can really penetrate deeply, softening the soil, and promoting root growth. Use a core aerator when the soil is moist and soft, not dry, and not muddy. The next step is to over seed and fertilize, which should occur after the threat of freeze is past in the spring, or well before the first hard freeze of fall.
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Can You Just Sprinkle Grass Seed On A Lawn
You could simply sprinkle grass seed on an open patch of dirt or on a lawn, but germination rates will be lousy. Youll improve germination rates by mowing, aerating, and topdressing with compost, then using a broadcast spreader to lay the seed down at an even, consistent rate. Then press firmly into the soil, but dont cover, as they need a bit of light to germinate.
The Cores Are Best Left Undisturbed
The cores the plug aerator removes will slowly break down when exposed to the elements, adding nutrients back into your lawn. Letting the process happen naturally, rather than catching the plugs in your mower, can slightly improve your lawns health.
All in all, you can mow after aerating, but theres really no reason too. Its not all that harmful , but seeing as youre going to mow anyway, you might as well mow before aerating.
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Using The Right Fertilizer Is The Key To Renewing A Thick Lawn
The well-aerated soil pulls in any fertilizers deeply into the ground, where they feed the roots of herbs and render a large positive influence. That a lawn was healthy after airing, bring in an organic high-nitrogen fertilizer.
Milorganite is an excellent fertilizer for withstanding lawns, especially if mixed up with Scotts Turf Builder or other fertilizer. He provides the receipt of nitrogen during a protracted time and will not spoil the recently planted seed.
If you have seeded a lawn, using the special fertilizers-starters for a lawn will be a great decision. They accelerate the height of young grass very well.
How To Top Dress A Lawn
After youve finished aerating, youre ready to apply the topsoil. Doing so is a physically demanding process. While there are machines that can help, the process works best and most economically when done by hand.
Youll need a wheelbarrow, shovel and rake. Use the shovel to distribute the top dressing, spreading it around as best you can before using the rake to even it out. Some find that the back of the rake works better.
You only want to apply a quarter to a half inch of top dressing at any given time, otherwise you could bury the grass youre trying to grow.
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How To Choose The Best Type Of Aeration
Without being an experienced professional or agronomist, you may not immediately know what type of aeration is right for your lawn. Lawns with high attendance are more likely to need aeration, and those with low attendance may not need aeration at all. Consider the following factors when considering aeration options:
- humidity level.
If you are not sure what type of aeration ask the experts, who now offer a wide range of services in this field.
A Landscaper Can Help You Take The Next Steps After Aerating
You now know what to do after aerating your lawn. Once you get the schedule down, it can become a simple annual routine.
But if you are worried about making mistakes with the timing or you simply want some extra help with the work, you can consider hiring a landscaper to assist you with aerating, watering, fertilizing, overseeding, and mowing. Good luck, and enjoy your full, beautiful lawn this year.
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Can I Aerate The Lawn In The Rain
The quick answer is sure you can! But this is only recommended during light to moderate showers. A good, balanced amount of moisture actually makes it easier to penetrate heavy or severely compacted soil, especially if you are using roller-style aerators.
If its particularly heavy rainfall, then its generally a bad time to aerate your lawn. Firstly, theres the question of safety: wet grass can be slippery and dangerous. In addition, its best to wait a full day after extensive rain to aerate, giving the moisture a chance to drain away. Soil that is too moist is difficult to aerate and theres a chance your lawn will be damaged in the process.
