Do you know what to do after aerating grass? Have you ever wondered, should you aerate your lawn every year, or what aeration actually does?
Aeration is the process of perforating a lawn with holes. It’s an important process, especially with the dense soil in Georgia, that breaks up the ground beneath the grass by removing small plugs, which allows nutrients, water, and air to penetrate the surface. If you have Bermuda or Zoysia grass, aeration is best done in the spring, when the lawn comes out of dormancy. For Fescue, the best time for lawn aeration and overseeding is in the fall, usually between late August and late October, because the moist soil and cooler air assist the grass’ root system. Lawns thrive when the soil is porous, so by using aeration to loosen the ground, you’ll grow a greener, lusher, and healthier lawn that’s better able to resist invasive weeds. If you’re wondering, should you aerate your lawn every year, the answer depends on your grass type, soil, and climate.
What to do once your grass has been aerated:
- Overseeding
Certain grasses, like cool-season Fescue, need new seed introduced regularly to appear full and lush, otherwise it can become patchy. At Arbor-Nomics, we understand the unique needs of different grass types, and that includes immediate overseeding after aeration, which provides excellent germination rates and a consistent seed distribution that creates a vibrant green lawn.
Aeration and overseeding together help new grass to grow and stay healthy-looking year-round while strengthening your lawn against common Georgia grass stressors like drought, heat, and certain pests. The best time to aerate and seed lawns is in the fall when conditions are ideal for healthy grass growth. After you learn what to do after aerating grass, you’ll see how these steps ensure a beautiful lawn all year round.
- Fertilizing
It’s recommended to add fertilizer to your lawn within a few days of performing aeration for the best results. Feeding the lawn quickly will make sure the nutrients reach deep down into the root systems of the grass, for a stronger, enhanced root system that’ll keep your lawn anchored well, with improved grass density, creating a verdant carpet of green the neighbors will envy. The best time to aerate and seed lawns is before fall fertilization for maximum results.
- Watering
Proper watering techniques after aeration are crucial to the overall success of your lawn growth, as moist seeds are more likely to germinate. Throughout the first three weeks, it’s important to keep the lawn and soil hydrated, watering at least 20 to 30 minutes every day. After three weeks, you can slowly decrease the frequency. After this, you may ask, should you aerate your lawn every year? If your soil is compact or your grass is struggling, annual aeration can help your lawn thrive.
- Leave it alone!
You need to give the grass time to develop and grow, and that means staying off the grass as much as possible, avoiding mowing the lawn for at least three weeks, and avoiding any weed control or other chemicals until the grass is grown and matured. You may wonder, should you aerate your lawn every year? Regular aeration can help with maintaining long-term health for your lawn, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.
You can leave the soil plugs on the lawn, as they’ll slowly disintegrate and become part of the lawn over the next few weeks, but if any leaves fall onto the grass it’s a good idea to use a leaf blower to remove them, as a rake may pull out new growth.
If you have a Fescue lawn, the most important thing to do after your lawn is aerated and overseeded is exercise patience. Three weeks can feel like a long time, but it’s worth the wait, as properly germinated seeds have the capability to grow into the perfect green lawn of your dreams. Knowing what to do after aerating grass can make all the difference in keeping your lawn beautiful.
- Continue proper lawn maintenance
To keep your grass healthy and thick, it’s important to follow a regular watering and fertilization schedule, keeping the lawn clear of debris and mowing often. At Arbor-Nomics, we offer a variety of lawn care packages that include fertilization and weed control, with add-ons including pest control treatments. Browse our different plans to learn more about what we can do for you.
Call Arbor-Nomics For Your Lawn Care Needs
Need help with lawn aeration and care? Call Arbor-Nomics today. We offer a variety of lawn care plans designed to suit a wide range of needs and budgets, from keeping your lawn weed-free and healthy to pest control options.
The fall months are the best time to aerate and seed your lawn. Continued annual aeration is key to achieving a long-term attractive grass aesthetic, along with regular mowing and weed control. Our aeration and overseeding services are features you can add on to our Gold or Silver Plans, or if you’d like custom work by our experts in aeration and lawn care, give us a call today and request an estimate.
We’ll do all we can for our customers, from offering online bill payment options to providing special offers. We never ask customers to sign contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if you’re unhappy with the results we’ll come back to evaluate the situation and re-treat the lawn at no additional cost. Check out our website or call us today. We’ll get your lawn greener and lusher than ever.