This is the BEST TIME to give your lawn a chance to thicken up!!!!
You’ve heard me ranting about Fall Lawn Care for years….so here it comes again. Following a summer of heat, mowing and foot traffic, lawn soils may become compacted and end up in desperate need of help during the fall. Aeration can provide just the pick me up that your lawn needs.
Core Aeration Machine
Your lawn should be aerated regularly – as often as once every year. Ideally, your soil should be made up of 50% solids, 25% water and 25% air. When it becomes compacted, there is little room for the air or water. So if you know you have a dense heavy soil like clay, or you can see water pooling up or running off the lawn, chances are that you need aeration.
Aeration also reduces the amount of thatch buildup on your lawn by helping it to decompose more quickly. Thatch is the dead material that builds up between the blades of grass on your lawn and the soil. When thatch accumulates to more than 1/2″, it causes problems.
The best time to aerate is when the grass is actively growing. Fall is best for cool season grasses because turf roots grow more in the fall than any other time of year.
Right after aeration is an idea time to overseed your lawn. With the soil opened up the seed can make good soil contact which is critical for seeding success. With still-warm soil and cooler fall weather, new seedlings can germinate and get established during this root-building period of the year. Starter fertilizer and plenty of water (when it doesn’t rain) will speed up establishment for a much thicker lawn next season.
Aeration works with fall fertilization and watering to thicken the lawn and build up good food reserves in the roots through the fall months. So plan on aeration for a healthier lawn this fall and thicker, greener turf next year!
