How Do I Prepare My Lawn for Aeration & Seeding (2024)

FAQs

How Do I Prepare My Lawn for Aeration & Seeding? ›

Prior to aeration and seeding, a lawn should be mowed at a height of 1.5 to 2 inches. Any clippings left on the lawn after this close cut, should be bagged, blown or raked off the lawn. This is necessary to maximize seed to soil contact as the seed is spread. This is a key factor in successful germination.

In the weeks leading up to your aeration and seeding, you will want to cut your lawn at the lowest setting each time you cut your lawn. We suggest two times, maybe even one time. Just make sure you get all the dead thatch up and out of your lawn. The less thatch you have, the higher efficiency of seed germination.

Before you aerate, mow your lawn low (Timberline lawn experts recommend setting your mower to about 1.5-2 inches above the ground to maximize the effectiveness of aerating, being sure to not scalp the crown of the grass.) You will want to water one to three days before aerating.

Proper watering over the course of the first four weeks will determine the success or potential failure of the new grass seed. Immediately following an aeration service, begin watering the new grass seed.

Perform Leaf Clean-Up Before Aeration

If heavy coatings of autumn leaves are falling on your grass, make sure to rake and dispose of them as much as possible. If you live in an area where this is a big concern, you could even make sure to inform your lawn care company of your plans for leaf clean-up.

You want to aerate the lawn when your grass is in its peak growing period so it can recover quickly—think early spring or fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer for warm-season grasses.

Prior to aeration and seeding, a lawn should be mowed at a height of 1.5 to 2 inches. Any clippings left on the lawn after this close cut, should be bagged, blown or raked off the lawn. This is necessary to maximize seed to soil contact as the seed is spread. This is a key factor in successful germination.

Within 48 hours after you aerate you should over seed, fertilize, and water your lawn. The seed, fertilizer, and water will have the best chance to get down into the holes made by the aerator if applied soon after aeration.

After Aeration Overseed and Fertilize

Immediately after aeration, your lawn is ripe for overseeding and fertilizing. The holes provide excellent soil exposure for seeds and deliver fertilizer directly to the roots of your grass. For best results, use high-quality seed and fertilize with Milorganite®.

While not crucial, it is recommended to aerate your lawn before fertilizing or overseeding. It is important to make sure the soil is loose enough for seeding so the roots can grow deeper for better water and nutrient access.

What to do immediately after lawn aeration? ›

Once it's aerated, you would use top dressing, the material you put on the soil surface to add organic material. Soil is made up of living organisms, including beneficial microorganisms that make plant nutrients. That top dressing might be compost, soil or even sand (or a combination).

During this initial establishment period, we recommend that homeowners try to keep their foot traffic to a minimum following seeding. The seed will begin to germinate throughout the first month. By limiting foot traffic, you offer the seed the best opportunity possible to properly germinate and sprout new growth.

Aerating is considered a better way to dethatch your lawn since it puts less stress on it.

Should You Leave Plugs on the Ground After Aerating? The answer is a resounding yes. These soil plugs are essential to the lawn's health and should be left to decompose naturally. Over time, they will break down and release valuable nutrients back into the soil, which is essential for your grass's growth.

For best results, use a plug aerator, which removes a core, or plug, of grass and soil from your lawn. Look for an aerating tool or machine that removes soil plugs approximately two to three inches deep and roughly half to three quarters of an inch in diameter, about two to three inches apart.

Aerating is easiest on you (or your equipment operator) and your lawn when your soil is moist from irrigation or rainfall the day before. Overly dry soil can be tough to aerate, so moisture eases the process. Never aerate overly wet lawns; wait a few days instead.

Within 48 hours after you aerate you should over seed, fertilize, and water your lawn. The seed, fertilizer, and water will have the best chance to get down into the holes made by the aerator if applied soon after aeration.

After aeration, it is best to avoid heavy traffic on your lawn for at least two weeks.