Lawn Aeration And Overseeding - A Two Punch Combo For Your Lawn
Lawn aeration and overseeding are a lawn care professionals secret weapon
Aerating and overseeding your lawn is a key part of any professional lawn care program. Over a long period of time your grass can grow thick and matted near the soil and become very difficult for oxygen and other nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. This along with issues like fungus, drought stress, and foot traffic can cause problems that generally manifest themselves as an unhealthy looking lawn with brown or dead patches everywhere.
Perfection Outdoor Solutions is a landscaping contractor based out of Tulsa, OK and serving Tulsa County, including: Rogers County including Bixby, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Midtown, Owasso and South Tulsa. We specialize in providing lawn aeration and over-seeding as part of our regular lawn care services or we can also provide it as a standalone service for large residential and/or commercial clients with high visibility lawns.
Lawn aerating is the process using a machine to punch hundreds of small holes into your lawn. As the machine punches the holes it also removes a small amount of grass and soil, that we call "plugs". These holes assist the delivery of oxygen and nutrients directly to the root system of your lawn. This is also an excellent time to overseed your lawn too which encourages new grass to grow in areas that might be patchy or are dead or dying. It's a two punch combo that can really help bring back a lawn from looking poorly cared for, to lush and healthy again.
Top Reasons To Aerate And Overseed Your Lawn
- It's never been done on your lawn before.
- Your lawn appears patchy and brown.
- You always leave your clippings on your lawn.
- Your lawn has been scalped by mowing, leaving bare patches.
- Your lawn sees heavy foot and pet traffic.
- You just want to give your lawn it's best chance!
As professionals, we recommend aerating your lawn at least once per year. This frequency can help counter the natural thatch and works to improve your overall soil conditions which is key to a beautiful lawn. The health of your grass is ultimately determined by the health of your soil. A properly aerated lawn will also respond much more vigorously to fertilization and regular watering too if you have an irrigation system (and you should have one for a beautiful lawn).
Does My Lawn Really Need Aeration?
The simplest answer is yes, your lawn will always benefit from being aerated at least once a year in the fall. If you are serious about the health and appearance of your lawn then aeration and over-seeding are just a normal part of a regular lawn care regime.
In order to know for sure we need to view your property to determine the overall condition of your lawn.
- Does your lawn get used frequently by your children or pets?
- Do you let your grass clippings fall back onto the lawn?
- Was your lawn just recently installed?
- Does your lawn dry out very quickly in the summer?
These are all signs your lawn could benefit from aeration. The best time to aerate your lawn is during the fall when the roots can recover quickly and the existing grass can work to fill in all of the plugs of grass/soil that will be removed during the aeration process.
What Does Lawn Aeration Do For Your Lawn?
This process delivers oxygen, water, and nutrients directly to the roots which encourages the roots to grow deeper and works to improve their uptake of nutrients and resilience to produce a more vigorous lawn. Aerating has long been a lawn care secret that golf courses and sports fields groundskeepers have employed because it really makes a difference especially when used as part of a total lawn care program. We use a special machine called a "lawn aerator" to aerate our clients lawns.
This machine was specifically designed to perforate your soil with hundreds of small holes that allow oxygen, water and nutrients to penetrate directly into your lawns root system. The "plugs" of grass that are removed by the aerator usually contain an inch or two of soil and are about 1/2″ to 3/4″ in diameter. These resulting holes are what allows the air and nutrients down into the soil and close to the root systems where they really need to be.
What Does Overseeding Do For Your Lawn?
The aeration process creates the perfect environment for planting new grass seed which is why we also recommend overseeding at this time. Lawn overseeding is the process of sprinkling new grass seed over the patchy, brown, or scalped areas of your lawn. These could be areas where the mowing deck was set too low and the grass has been scalped, crowns or high spots in your lawn, bald spots, brown patches, or areas where the grass is just really thin. Overseeding helps your lawn grow thicker in these areas.
A lawn with thick, healthy, lush growth is also great at preventing weeds from growing in your lawn too.
If you'd like to see if lawn aeration and overseeding could help make your lawn more vibrant and healthy then please give us a call (918) 984-7336 or fill out our online contact form and we'll get back to you right away.
How Lawn Aeration Works
Healthier Roots
The aeration process loosens the soil and promotes healthy root growth by encouraging the roots to grow deeper. The result is healthier, stronger grass.
Nutrient Uptake
With a healthier root system your grass is able to uptake the nutrients in the soil much more readily. This encourages the lush, green, growth you're after.
Loosens Compacted Soil
The aeration process improves drainage and helps prevent the soil from becoming compacted and developing into a "hardpan" situation with pooling water.
Questions About Lawn Aeration?
What is lawn aeration, and why is it important for my STATE lawn?
Lawn aeration involves creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate down to the grass roots. This process helps reduce soil compaction, which can occur from foot traffic or heavy use. Aeration is important in STATE due to our varying soil types and seasonal changes, promoting healthier grass growth and a more vibrant lawn.
How do I know if my lawn needs aeration?
Your lawn might need aeration if it feels spongy, you notice water pooling after rain, or it's subject to heavy use that leads to soil compaction. Lawns in STATE, especially those with clay soil, benefit from regular aeration to combat compaction and prepare for the intense summer and winter seasons.
What's the best time of year to aerate my lawn in STATE?
The ideal time for aeration in STATE is during the growing season when the grass can heal and fill in any open areas after soil plugs are removed. For cool-season grasses, early fall or spring is optimal, allowing the grass to peak in growth and take full advantage of aeration benefits.
Why should I consider overseeding my lawn, and when is the right time to do it?
Overseeding introduces new grass seed to fill in thin or bare spots, improving your lawn's density and color. In Connecticut, overseeding is best done in the fall, following aeration. This timing allows the new seed to establish before winter and reduces competition from weeds.
Can I aerate and overseed my lawn simultaneously?
Yes, aerating your lawn before overseeding is highly beneficial. Aeration creates openings in the soil that help grass seeds make direct contact with the soil, improving germination rates and encouraging deeper root growth. This combination is particularly effective for enhancing lawn health and resilience.
How should I prepare my lawn for aeration and overseeding?
Prepare your lawn by mowing it to a lower height and watering it a day or two before aeration. This preparation helps the aerator penetrate the soil more effectively and ensures the overseeded grass seeds have adequate moisture to germinate.
Do all lawns in STATE require aeration and overseeding?
While not all lawns may require annual aeration and overseeding, most can benefit from these practices every year or every other year. Factors such as soil type, lawn age, usage level, and existing lawn health determine the necessity and frequency of these services.