Fall Core Aeration and Seeding Tips
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The season of pumpkin spice lattes and long sleeves is just around the corner. Your lawn has dealt with a hot summer that brought conditions that are often stressful. The good news is that cooler fall weather can create an optimal growing scenario for your lawn—if you follow these best practices for fall core aeration and seeding, that is. Be sure to adhere to Spring Green’s tips to ensure your lawn is poised to thrive during the cold months ahead and all year round.
Why aerating and seeding are important
The steps of aeration and seeding are annual jobs that make a huge impact on the overall and long-term health of your lawn. Doing both of these routines in the fall will help you end your lawn’s growing season on a high note and set the stage for success for the thaw that comes in the spring. In other words, plant the seeds for a future of lush and green lawns.
Everything You Need To Know About Fall Core Aeration and Seeding
What is core aeration? How does it work?
Core aeration is one of the most important things you can do to create a healthy lawn. Core aeration mechanically removes small plugs of soil from the lawn with a special machine (an aeration machine). Those small plugs of soil and thatch are left on the surface of the lawn so they can seep back in to create a healthier overall setting for your grass to become thick, green and lush.
What are the benefits of core aeration?
There are many benefits of core aeration, including:- Reducing the incidence of soil compaction
- Nourishing and encouraging deep and healthy lawn roots
- Removing thatch layers that can cause issues
- Alleviating or eliminating stress caused by summer drought conditions
- Reducing weeds, thus decreasing or diminishing insect or disease issues
- Making conditions right for better intake of fertilizers and control products
- Stimulating new grass growth
What is overseeding?
The name implies something that is negative, but quite to the contrary, overseeding is a good practice for most lawns. Here’s what you need to know:
In the last days of summer into the early fall, it is time to overseed your lawn—especially if you reside in the Northern parts of the country. Summer takes a toll on cool-season grasses like:- Bluegrass
- Perennial ryegrass
- Fine fescues
- Fall fescue
As your grasses may become thin and weak from the scorching summer temperatures, they become more susceptible to disease and insect destruction. All cool-season lawns will benefit from overseeding in the fall.
There is a technique to successful overseeding, and yes, it is more than just spreading seeds around your lawn. The core aeration works hand in hand with the seeding effort to ensure that the seeds have a chance to germinate and survive. In addition, the process requires a regular watering regimen to ensure success.
Spring Green, your local lawn care professional since 1977, is here for you as you prep your lawn for fall and, of course, all year round. We are experts in all kinds of grasses and can help prescribe the perfect recipe for keeping your lawn healthy no matter what the seasons bring.