Excess thatch blocks out air, light and water from reaching root zones. Dethatching and aeration services go hand in hand. Dethatch first, then aerate.
Can you scarify and aerate at the same time?
When considering both aerating and scarifying, it’s better to scarify first, then aerate– but leave a few days in between the two exercises to allow your lawn to recover before you put it through all that work again.
Do I need to aerate if I scarify?
You need to scarify to make sure thatch doesn’t accumulate and suffocate the lawn. You also need to aerate the soil under the lawn occasionally, or your lawn could be choked off from nutrients and wither.
What order do you dethatch aerate and overseed?
Dethatch or aerate before overseeding? Both aerating and dethatching are recommended before overseeding because they improve grass-to-soil contact for proper germination. In most cases, you’ll only need to dethatch to remove the debris that is covering the soil and preventing grass seed from germinating properly.
Should I dethatch or aerate my lawn first? – Related Questions
When should you aerate after dethatching?
Aerating is best done right after dethatching, preferably in the fall following a complete growing season. This gives the grass time to fill in and ‘recover’ after removing the soil plugs. The type of grass you have and the climate in which you live also determine when to dethatch and aerate as well.
Should I seed right after dethatching?
After dethatching, thatch should be removed and put in the compost pile. If you do not already have a compost pile, then you should seriously consider adding one. After this has been done, high-quality grass seed.
Should I Overseed before or after aerating?
You may want to rake the soil to remove debris and to loosen and expose soil. 2) If you’re going to aerate, you’ll want to do this beforehand. Typically, overseeding 48 hours following aerating is a best practice, as this will give the seed the best chance of getting into the soil.
Should you put grass seed down before or after aerating?
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.
Should I Overseed then aerate?
After the aeration is done, the overseeding can be done. This is done by spreading grass seeds uniformly over the entire yard. Extra grass seeds can be spread in areas that are thin or damaged. The grass should be watered regularly after this is done to ensure the seeds can grow.
Can you aerate and overseed at the same time?
Our Solution: Perform Them at The Same Time
That’s why we recommend overseeding directly after aerating, and it’s also why our lawn care professionals perform these tasks for customers on the same day. Aeration provides the perfect area for seeds to fall into and grow.
What is the best month to aerate my lawn?
The best time to aerate your lawn is in late summer or early fall, as this will allow your grass to recover completely before going dormant in the winter. While Fall is recommended, you can also aerate and overseed your lawn in the spring between March and May.
Should I pick up plugs after aerating?
As we’ve established, don’t remove aeration plugs. It takes approximately one to two weeks for the plugs to break down on their own, but there are some things you can do to help the plugs break down faster to tidy up the lawn. You can hope for rainfall, but you can also water the lawn to help the plugs break down.
What is the next step after aeration?
What to Do After Aeration. After you finish aerating your lawn, let soil plugs or extra soil dry where they fall. They’ll break down in rain or crumble the next time you mow, adding beneficial soil and organic matter to your lawn surface.
What should I put down after aerating my lawn?
Apply fertilizer immediately after aerating your lawn to put nutrients into your grass roots. This allows the grass to better prepare for the summer heat. Growing a thick, healthy lawn is useful in preventing weeds as well. Reseed your lawn, especially in areas of the lawn where the grass is thin.
Do you need to fertilize after aerating?
Immediately after aerating, your lawn is exposed to oxygen, and so laying fertilizer during this time is your best bet for growing a healthy, envy-worthy lawn. The best fertilizer to use (and how much) will be dependent on your grass type and lawn size.
Should I sand after aerating?
When using sand after aeration, the sand fills the holes and helps change the soil structure, improving its drainage and increasing the growth of healthy grass. Masonry sand is a great option because it’s free of debris, weeds and pebbles. Some lower the cost of their top dressing by mixing sand, topsoil and compost.
Can I mow right before aerating?
Try to mow one or two days before we arrive — and make it lower than usual. We recommend you set the mowing height to 1-1/2″ (one-and-one-half inches). This will get the lawn low enough without scalping it. Mowing low makes both aeration and seeding more effective.
What do you Topdress with after aeration?
After aerating, it’s time for top dressing: spread either pulverized top soil or a good quality humus compost across the lawn. You don’t need much—about a quarter inch or so is adequate. Then, go ahead and reseed. Be sure to invest some money in the seed and get good quality, weed-free seed.