One of the best practices you can do for your lawn is to have it aerated and overseeded on a regular basis. The benefits of aeration include reduced soil compaction, bringing new life to old roots, and improved soil quality.
What is aeration?
Aeration is the mechanical removal of soil cores from a lawn. These one to two-inch cores are left on top of the lawn. Then the cores break down as microbes feed on them and break down the thatch on the bottoms. Thatch is the spongy and often impervious layer of decaying material between the crown of the grass plants and the soil.
Why is aeration needed?
Aeration is needed to break up compact soil and to provide a pathway for grass seed through thatch to the fertile soil beneath. The holes created by aeration allow for greater seed-to-soil contact—a key factor in new grass seed taking root.
Not only does aeration help reduce soil compaction, but it allows water and nutrients to reach deep and through the root zone. This benefits microorganisms living in the soil. These organisms break down existing thatch, improve soil quality and release additional nutrients for healthy grass development.
Nutrients are easily taken in by the plant when aeration is completed. The holes created through aeration in the soil allow roots to expand, resulting in improved turf quality and vitality.
What is overseeding?
To overseed your lawn means to plant grass seed amidst the existing grass but without breaking up and turning over the soil. An experienced lawn care professional can take an already green lawn and make it even greener by overseeding.
What are the benefits of overseeding?
If you aerate and overseed your lawn, there’s a good chance you’ll see a reduction in brown patches and bare spots. Plus, aeration and overseeding acts as a natural weed control.
Overseeding allows new grass varieties to be introduced to a lawn to resist diseases and insect attacks. Similarly, as a lawn thickens with the new seed growth, it will also be better suited to crowd out weeds.
Best of all, new plant growth and subsequent thickening of the lawn will provide you with an aesthetically pleasing property.
For more details about the benefits of aeration and overseeding, contact your local NaturaLawn® of America office.
When is the best time to have your lawn aerated and overseeded?
The most effective time of year for aerating and overseeding is in the fall for cool-season grasses, such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, and in the spring or summer for warm-season grasses, such as bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. Planning the right time to aerate your lawn can yield lush results. Early spring is a good time to assess your lawn care needs each year.
Key Takeaways About Aeration and Overseeding
- Aeration and overseeding are both important lawn care practices that can improve the health and appearance of your lawn.
- Aeration involves removing small cores of soil from your lawn to relieve soil compaction and allow water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the roots.
- Overseeding involves planting new grass seed over existing turf to promote thicker, healthier grass.
- Aeration and overseeding can be done together to maximize their benefits and improve the overall health and appearance of your lawn.
- Regular aeration and overseeding can help prevent common lawn problems such as weed growth, patchy grass, and soil erosion.
