How Combining Core Aeration & Overseeding Services Benefits Your Lawn

If you're reading this, you're likely located in Elkhart, Granger, South Bend, and surrounding northern Indiana areas. You're also probably interested in taking your lawn to the next level - and that's ahat our team here at Grow Pros Lawn Care, LLC is known for.

Maybe you've heard of the aeration & overseeding process previously. Maybe you've even tried doing it yourself! Either way, this article is for you, because not only does it define these services - it answers the most common question we get from our customers after we perform lawn aeration and overseeding services, which is: "How do I take care of my lawn after aeration and overseeding?"

What is aeration?

Your lawn can become very compacted because of constant small vehicle traffic, regular foot traffic, or a large amount of rainfall. When this happens your lawns root system may not receive the proper nutrients, minerals, and oxygen. This is where aeration becomes a necessity.

We pierce your soil with small holes to loosen the soil. These small holes allow, water, nutrients, sunlight and oxygen to easily reach the lawn's root system. This creates a healthy, strong, deep root system. Aeration can also help with thatch buildup, thatch is a layer of organic debris that can absorb nutrients that your grass needs to thrive.

What is overseeding?

Lawn grass seeds being poured by hand near Granger, IN.

Quite literally, overseeding is when we distribute new grass seeds over your lawn. This creates new growth to supplement what is already growing resulting in a thicker, greener grass overall. It works as the perfect addition to aeration because when your lawn is freshly aerated, it is primed and ready for new seed. New seed can fall into the holes created through aeration and make direct contact with the soil for optimal germination.

Taking care of your lawn after aeration and overseeding.

We want to make sure that your lawn receives all the benefits that aerating and overseeding provides. Here are a few recommendations and tips to care for your lawn after these services to take full advantage of all the benefits.

Can I mow after aeration and overseeding?

We know it can be tempting to immediately start trying to make your lawn absolutely perfect after having it aerated/overseeded. Good news: you don't need to wait!

It's important to maintain your regular mowing schedule.

Don’t walk on your recently treated lawn.

As safe as it may sound, walking around on your newly serviced lawn can be equally as harmful as mowing it, for the same reasons. Because of this, we actually suggest that you limit your walking or playing on the grass to a minimum.

The seed will begin to germinate in the first few weeks, limiting foot traffic will allow the seed to germinate and sprout new growth. This initial period of time is crucial to the success of your new lawn.

How often should you water your aerated and overseeded lawn?

You may have guessed this already, but watering your lawn is extremely important - especially after having it aerated & overseeded. But, you can absolutely over water during this period, so what's the perfect amount?

Well, since you live in Northern Indiana, our advice is to water your yard for around 20 minutes every day for the first 1-2 weeks. Our goal is to keep the soil and grass seed moist while germination begins. Keep in mind that overwatering can also be problematic, too much water can actually wash new grass seed away before the seeds ever have time to start the germination process. Decrease your watering once the seeds begin to grow to only about 3-4 times a week just to maintain some moisture. Once the new grass is established water your lawn twice a week for about 15-20 minutes.

DO NOT remove the aeration plugs.

We know that seeing plugs on your lawn after an aeration service can be unsightly, but it's very important that you leave them. Think of the plugs as if they're little capsules of nutrients for your lawn, those plugs still have nutrients in them that your grass already had.

The best thing to do is to let them decompose naturally back into the soil while you're waiting for your new seedlings to germinate. Your regular watering will help them to decompose as well. If they aren't completely decomposed by the first mow, it will be no problem for your lawn mower to break them up.

How long will it take for new seeds to germinate?

Infographic about core aeration for lawns in Granger, IN.

In Northern Indiana, it will take at least 2 to 3 weeks before your seeds start to germinate. This is all dependent on the season when you have your lawn aerated & overseeded. Many factors will influence how fast it will grow including, temperature, grass type, and soil conditions.

Want a green & healthy lawn and your are located in Elkhart or surrounding areas?

We provide Aeration & Overseeding Services to Elkhart, %%targetarae2%%, South Bend, and the surrounding areas in northern Indiana. So, if this article got you excited about having the lawn all your neighbors envy - call us today at (574) 326-3526 or use the form to your right to request a quote!