Aeration and Seeding – the Secret to Beautiful Turf

Aeration and seeding is one of absolute best things you can do for your lawn. Whenever we picture what we want our lawns to look like, we imagine a lush, green, golf course. Most golf courses aerate and seed several times a year to attain this coveted look. There are some important points to be aware of when it comes to completing a successful aeration and seeding though.

Core Aeration

Aeration can be achieved in a number of ways; it can be done with tubular-tine forks, tractor-drawn units, and machines that can be easily rented and operated by homeowners. Whatever the equipment, the objective is to remove plugs of soil; make sure you mark any sprinkler heads or invisible dog fences before you start though! Removing these plugs of soil reduce compaction of the soil while also allowing water to reach the root system of your grass faster. Aerating lets carbon dioxide escape the ground more efficiently and oxygen is able to enter the soil more freely. Grass roots are now able to spread and create a denser root system which makes it harder for weeds to take hold. The soil plugs left on the turf will break down and provide nutrients for the grass and seed if you’re aerating and seeding. Aerating should be done in either Spring or Fall but if you’re seeding as well, do it in Fall. Seeding in the fall gives the seed a better chance of reaching adulthood since weeds are less prevalent and the weather is mild enough that the young grass won’t burn out but it’s warm enough for germination to occur.

Once you’ve seeded, make sure to follow proper watering guidelines so your seed has the moisture it needs to start the growing process. Keep traffic on newly seeded areas to a minimum and don’t mow until the grass has reached at least 3”-3 ½”.  Make sure you mow on a dry day to reduce damage to the grass blades. If you follow these suggestions and start off with healthy soil, you should start seeing new grass in no time.

If you’re stuck on the fence while considering Aeration and Seeding services, check out our FREE downloadable guide – that compares prices, quality of service and why it’s worth buying the service!