Fall Liquid Aeration And Overseeding
Read MorePosted on: Sep 06, 2024Luis M Pérez
Overseeding and fall liquid aeration are vital elements to a healthy lawn because they help it absorb water, oxygen, and nutrients while replenishing damaged or destroyed grass. Regardless of how well you water, cut, and fertilize a lawn, every lawn will likely sustain some damage throughout the spring and summer. This damage leads to thin and bare spots in the grass. If you do not replenish these areas, they will eventually become overrun with weeds.
We recommend Aeration in the fall while the soil temperature is warm, the air is cooler, and there is more moisture in the atmosphere. These conditions are optimal for the germination of new seedlings. Furthermore, even when a lawn is already thick and healthy, it is still important to overseed and aerate in the fall. This is because a lawn is like a roof in the sense that, over time, it will get weaker and thinner. New grass seed will help keep it fresh and vibrant.
Overseeding also minimizes the risk of disease and insects. A thick, full, and healthy lawn will deter weeds and illnesses. Finally, soil erosion is one of the lesser-known but very important benefits of overseeding. When a lawn becomes thin and weak, it cannot absorb water and nutrients.
Seeding Your Lawn In The Fall
When preparing to seed your lawn, you must consider timing and organize everything you need to do successfully. For reasons already stated, fall is the best time to overseed your lawn. Some studies suggest that over 70% of all root growth occurs in the fall. After timing, the next most important seeding aspect is creating soil contact. That is why you can seed after aeration. The aeration helps open the soil by removing core plugs and exposing soil, maximizing the seed-to-soil contact.
If you have any extreme or large bare spots, you may also want to apply a layer of triple-mix topsoil. To do this, put down one inch of soil on the area that is to be seeded and then apply roughly 3 pounds of seed per 1000 sq/feet onto the soil. It is very important not to apply the seed under the soil; the soil must go down first.
The last step is to water correctly. Therefore, you must water your lawn immediately after laying down the seeds and continue to water daily until the seeds germinate. The first round should be heavy (about an inch of water), approximately 1 hour. After that, your watering can be lighter. We recommend 20 to 30 minutes every day for 2 to 3 weeks. It might take up to two weeks for the grass to start growing. The most important thing to remember is not to overwater or underwater. Both will result in poor results.
When To Mow After Aeration And Overseeding
It is recommended not to mow your lawn after overseeding as the grass will suffer stress when mowed. Instead, the best thing to do after overseeding is to allow it to rest. In general, it’s recommended to wait for at least 2 to 3 weeks before mowing an overseeded lawn.
Questions?
For more information on fall aeration and overseeding, please email our Lawn Care Expert, Luis Perez, at luisp@doctorgreen.com.