You’re likely familiar with the aeration, or at least those plugs you see on the ground, but what you may not realize is that the aeration process helps the overall health of the lawn. Fall aeration is often combined with overseeding, which is the process of laying grass seed on top of areas where there is already grass.
If you want a denser, healthier lawn, overseeding and aeration as a combined service may be exactly what you need.
Grass develops a dense layer of decaying organic matter at its base called thatch. This thatch is rich in helpful microorganisms. Over time this layer gets compacted and starts to create a barrier to the roots, and less water, air, and nutrients can get to the grass.
Core aeration is the process of loosening the compacted soil and thatch layer by pulling plugs of soil out, which will allow the grass to get increased resources. These plugs are full of nutrients and will break down and nourish the grass. Aeration is fantastic for yard health:
- Encourages a healthy root system
- Increases weed and pest resistance
- Improves water, air, and nutrient intake
- Improves heat tolerance
Overseeding involves laying seed over existing grass. Overseeding can be extremely beneficial to both the aesthetics and health of the lawn. Benefits include:
- Reducing weed growth
- Creating a denser lawn
- Even lawn color
- Filling in bare or thin patches of grass
This process of overseeding should be done in the fall to give grass seeds time to germinate and take root before winter arrives. When the spring growing season starts, you’ll have thicker grass. Because the grass is denser, there is less opportunity for weeds to grow.
Overseeding is most successful when done after aeration in the fall. The loose soil will give the seeds more opportunity to germinate. Because aeration encourages better water and nutrient intake, this also creates the perfect environment for seeds to take root.
By performing these services together, you can efficiently strengthen your lawn, fill in thin spots, and reduce weed growth all at once. You’ll be able to improve the appearance of an uneven lawn while also addressing lawn health. Essentially, aeration and overseeding combined:
- Creates a dense root system to defend against weeds
- Creates even grass coverage
- Improves lawn aesthetics
In short, if you’re already planning on aerating, it would be a disservice to your lawn to ignore seeding, and seeding works best when done after aeration.
Our pros provide quality service for both lawn care and landscaping. We also provide combined aeration and overseeding services as part of fall maintenance. If you’re ready for seasonal lawn care, contact us today at (414) 431-1757 to set up an estimate with one of our lawn care experts.
