When and Why: The Benefits of Fall Aeration and Seeding
It’s blog time again, and that means it’s time to dish out some more tips on how to properly care for your lawn! We’ve previously done a blog on aeration and seeding, but it is always good to revisit the topic, as it is one of the most important aspects of year-round maintenance. Although they can be done separately, it is typically best to purchase both aeration and seeding services together, as your lawn is most viable for seed growth post-aeration.
A typical plug aerator (mcauliffesace.com)
Aeration Benefits
Aeration is a pretty big deal in the lawn-care world, and you probably have seen the after-effects, even if you did not realize that it was called aeration. Aeration is the process through which air is circulated through, mixed with or dissolved in a liquid or a substance. The technical definition is a bit obfuscated, so to simplify with respect to lawn care: aeration is the process through which soil is either pounded down with spikes, or removed as core samples. In both cases the effect is the same, i.e., pockets appear where air can enter the soil more easily. Experts recommend aerating twice a year, once in spring (March-May), and once in fall (August-November). If you missed the first season, then don’t stress! Just make sure to get the fall aeration done to ensure a healthy lawn throughout the winter.
The benefits of aeration compared to the time and money one must invest to accomplish the task are staggering. Aeration offers some of the most easily recognizable, and quickest results of any lawn maintenance operation. Included below is a list of just some of the benefits of aeration:
- Water and Fertilizer can be used more efficiently by your lawn
- Thatch will be minimized
- Grass roots can grow deeper and healthier
- Soil compaction is reduced
- Improved lawn health
- Improved lawn appearance
- Ability of lawn to withstand more activity
Items 2 and 7 on the list, cannot be overstated enough. Thatch is a layer of dead, mostly plant tissue that protects lawns by regulating temperature. Too much thatch however, can limit soil oxygenation and watering effectiveness! Giving your lawn a good once-over with a rake can prevent some of the negative side-effects of thatch, but to truly make sure your lawn is great, aeration is necessary. Number 7 is especially important for people who like to gather outside. Anyone who has ever had a bonfire, or a party outdoors, knows that the lawn looks beaten down the next day. Aeration prevents soil from compacting under heavy strain, and also allows your grass to return more quickly to its natural state, minimizing the chance for damage. 
Diagram showing the benefits of aeration. (akronlawncareservices.com)
Aeration and Grass Growth
“So what does this mean for grass growth?” You might ask. The answer is two-fold. When aeration is performed alone, the existing grass gains deeper roots, but this can lead to spotty grass due to over-competition for nutrients. To truly capitalize on your newly aerated lawn, over-seeding must be performed, and now is the perfect time to do it! Over-seeding is the process in which more grass seed than needed is laid down to increase the chance of seed germination. The whole process takes about 8-10 weeks, hence why we recommend doing it now, and almost always leads to a healthier and denser lawn. Putting down lots of grass seed also ensures that your existing grass does not grow its roots too long, which is also why we recommend performing over-seeding as soon as possible after aeration.
We hope that this overview has been helpful. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an aeration and seeding, or any other lawn care service, please contact us. Our team of trained professionals will ensure that your lawn is the envy of the neighborhood, and provide you with time to do the things that are important to you.
Sources
- http://theaeratorguys.com/ Aeration Author: Unknown (Blog Post) Retrieved From: http://theaeratorguys.com/questions.html
- https://www.newimagelawn.com/ Benefits of Aeration and Seeding Author: New Image (Blog Post) Retrieved From: https://www.newimagelawn.com/benefits-of-aeration-and-seeding/
http://aerate-lawn.com/ When is the Best Time to Aerate a Lawn? Author: Spencer (Blog Post) Retrieved From: http://aerate-lawn.com/whentoaeratealawn.aspx