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