Be Prepared for Fall Aeration and Overseeding

When it comes to lawn care in the north, many people think they can stop treating their lawn in the fall, but fall lawn care is crucial for preparing your lawn to survive the winter and wake up healthy in the spring.

One of the best ways to ensure your lawn gets the oxygen, water, and nutrients it needs is through aeration.

Aeration

Activities like walking, playing, and mowing can compact your soil throughout the year. Compacted soil prevents your lawn from developing a healthy root system and receiving essential nutrients.

Aeration relieves compressed soil and creates channels for water to reach the grass roots, leading to a better fall growing season and less winter damage.

Late summer or early fall is ideal for aerating your lawn. Aeration involves mechanically removing plugs of soil from your lawn and leaving them on the surface to break down naturally. The small 2 to 3-inch holes created by aeration allow oxygen, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil.

Overseeding

In addition to aeration, overseeding helps fill in any bare or patchy areas in your lawn. Cool-season grasses, common in Ohio, germinate best when daily temperatures gradually decrease.

After aeration, you can overseed the areas where the plugs were pulled to promote new grass growth. It is crucial to water the newly seeded areas sufficiently.

Overseeding not only fills in bare spots but also results in a healthier lawn that can better withstand insects, disease, and environmental conditions like drought and shade.

Aerating & Overseeding In The Fall

Aerating and overseeding in the fall are beneficial because they impact the future health of your lawn and prepare it for winter.

The holes from core aeration provide drainage for your lawn during the fall and winter when snow accumulates and melts. Snow can compact soil and leave moisture on the lawn, potentially causing disease. Adequate drainage helps avoid these problems.

Your Soil & Your Lawn’s Health

The condition of your soil directly affects your lawn’s health. Soil that easily accesses air, water, and nutrients supports a healthy lawn. Compacted soil that lacks these elements results in a dull, discolored lawn. Aeration and overseeding supply the nutrients your soil needs for your lawn to thrive year-round.

Prepare your lawn this fall with aeration and overseeding to ensure a vibrant, healthy yard come spring!