How to Care For Your Lawn after Aeration

Each fall, our team at Nature's Select^® recommends an aeration and overseeding treatment to the homeowners in the Winston-Salem area. This treatment helps your lawn prepare to go into a dormant phase for the winter so that it can come back thick and lush in the spring. Today on the blog, we're not just discussing aeration and overseeding, but also how to care for your lawn in the weeks following the treatment.

Aeration and Overseeding

So what is aeration and overseeding? Basically, aeration is the practice of poking holes to break up the soil, leaving the soil loose so that the grass' roots can plunge deep into the soil to find vital water resources for maximum health. This penetration also breaks up harmful thatch, that left unchecked, can create a favorable environment for pests and disease. After aeration is complete, we take the opportunity to overseed, because the seed will be deposited in the aeration holes so they can germinate faster.

Next Steps

After your lawn has received an aeration and overseeding treatment, you'll need to take special care of it for best results. Start by enhancing your watering routine. To help the seeds germinate, you should water in the morning for 20-30 minutes every day for 3 weeks. Additionally, make sure you are keeping foot traffic on your grass to a bare minimum, staying off of it as much as possible. You also shouldn't mow or use weed control products until the grass has matured. Finally, as the leaves begin to fall, make sure you are removing them as soon as possible to avoid lawn damage. We also recommend blowing the leaves away, instead of raking.

Winter Frost

Soon after you've completed this fall lawn maintenance, it will be time for the first frost of the year. Frost itself won't damage your lawn, but it can make the grass blades rigid and brittle. So be sure to continue to stay off the grass as much as possible to prevent your blades from splitting and breaking. This damage could cause your lawn to appear brown or dead when it comes back in the spring.

No matter the season, Nature's Select^® is ready to help you with all your traditional lawn care and select lawn care needs. Our biological products are effective, eco-friendly, and easy on pollinators. If you live in the Winston-Salem area, contact us today to request your free estimate.