Soil plugs after aeration. Photo Credit: Holganix
Aeration and Overseeding is one of the best things you can do for your Montgomery County or Chester County lawn especially if your turf has been challenged and stressed by too much rain or drought conditions. It’s an excellent way to put your lawn on the right path for a healthy summer next year.
Aeration allows air, water and nutrients to penetrate into the root system for healthy growth. Soil compaction and thatch are the two largest obstacles of beautiful turf. If the roots of your lawn aren’t healthy, your yard isn’t going to look great, even with adequate fertilizer and water. In addition, your lawn is most viable for seed growth after aeration which is why it is smart to combine both services at the same time. Watch our video on Aeration and Overseeding.
Now that you’ve made this smart decision to aerate and overseed, you’ll want to take full advantage of this valuable service by knowing how to care for your lawn afterwards. Below are some aerating best practices that should answer any questions you may have when you have your lawn aerated and overseeded.
Aeration and Overseeding After Care
Soil Plugs
Leave the soil plugs on the lawn to decompose and fill back into the holes left by aeration. If you reseed, the seeds mix with the soil plugs mix better with the non-compacted soil following aeration. Your lawn mower will often break them up and help work them back into the soil within two to three weeks.
Watering
Keep lawn surface moist for 3 weeks.
It is important to water the seeds in immediately. Keep the lawn surface moist for the first 3 weeks. Keep it damp, not soaking wet. At this point, you will see grass sprouting from the aeration holes. For the next 3 weeks, water more thoroughly but less often. Watering early morning is best.
Limit traffic on seeded areas
Keep foot traffic to a minimum, including your pets. Staying off your lawn as much as possible for the first few weeks will give it a better chance to germinate.
Mowing
It’s okay to mow weekly after the seed has been thoroughly watered in and the grass is approximately 4” tall. Make sure the mower blade is sharp for a clean cut that will not rip up the new seedlings. Remove only one-third of the blade height each time you mow. Glass clippings might retain some grass seed, so it’s good to leave them.
Fall Leaves
Lightly blow your leaves off newly aerated lawns.
Seedlings are delicate and have shallow roots. Raking will tear up the new seedings but light blowing or mulching them with the lawn mower is the best way.
Whitehouse Landscaping offers these Montgomery and Chester County lawn care services because we have seen what wonderful things this simple and affordable two-step process does to even the unhealthiest of lawns. Stay on top of your lawn care with proper organic-based fertilization practices and aerate and overseed in the fall and you’ll be well on your way to create a thick, green and beautiful lawn.
Contact the turf care professionals at Whitehouse Landscaping to answer any of your aeration and overseeding questions. Receive a quote by calling 484-300-4290 or clicking here, and we will be in touch with you.