Does your lawn look a little less than spectacular? Aeration and overseeding can help.
Maintaining a beautiful landscape does wonders to your home. The view from your street or window becomes much more appealing when your lawn is the picture of health rather than an eyesore. Although some aspects of your lawn may not be perfect, it may be a mystery to you as to how to deal with the flaws. Aeration and overseeding your lawn may be the answer.
What Is Aeration and Overseeding?
Aeration and overseeding are both significant in keeping your lawn healthy. Aeration is the process of ventilating the ground by mechanically pulling up plugs of dirt containing thatch, a bit of the existing root system, dead grass, and possibly weeds. Strategically pulling up many little plugs from the earth keeps the soil from compacting, allows water and air to more easily access the soil, and for the grass’s root system to expand. With denser, healthier grass, there is little room left for weeds. A professional will then mechanically slice the plugs down into a powder.
Overseeding is the process of adding seeds to the lawn after aeration. Adding a seed mix with a combination of grass species strengthens the lawn and makes it more resistant to diseases and insects. Because fertilizing your lawn works best in the spring or fall, it is more practical to get fertilization at the same time as aeration and overseeding.
When Should You Do It?
Like working with dough, the soil should not be too hard and dry nor too soft and muddy. The fall or early spring is the best time to aerate and overseed your lawn. Cooler temperatures make better working soil conditions. Get the treatment in before the first frost in the fall, and before weeds start sprouting in the spring.
Signs You Should Aerate and Overseed Your Lawn
Now, here are the problems that can be treated with aeration and overseeding.
- Brown or dead spots. These may show that the soil in this area is too compact.
- Build-up of thatch. Thatch is a tangle of living and dead plant matter gathered at the base of living, growing grass. If the thatch is too thick to fully remove with a rake, a professional removal may be more efficient.
- Pooling water. If you have clay soil or compacted soil, or even bad drainage, water will pool on top and not be able to seep into the soil as it ought.
- Weeds. When the grass root system is weakened, weeds have a better chance at competing and taking over the lawn.
While one could rent the proper machinery and buy seeds and fertilizer on one’s own, hiring a professional company will ensure that the job is done the best way possible and will save you much time and effort in the long-run. Come spring and summer, your lawn will grow strong and fresh.
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For the past ten years, Edwards Lawn and Home has been offering premier residential and services to improve your property all year long. The options are endless from a new patio to a backyard fire pit, let the winners of Angie’s List Super Service Aware serve you! If you’re interested in finding out more about our services or getting a quote, you can contact us online or give us a call at 443-341-6539. For more information about our services or DIY tips and tricks follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Houzz.