Aeration is an essential part of your lawn care maintenance plan whether you have warm or cool-season grass. But how can you ensure that your lawn reaps all the benefits of an aeration service?
Benefits of Aerating Your Lawn
During an aeration service, thousands of small plugs or cores of soil are removed from your lawn, leaving holes behind. Core aeration helps to control thatch and promote root growth while improving your soil’s structure. Aerating your lawn is a great solution for compacted soils, as it allows for oxygen, water and nutrients to move freely into the root zone.
Caring for Your Lawn After Core Aeration
After your aerating service, you’ll want to take care of your lawn to see the best results. Some steps may be included in your lawn maintenance plan, so remember to talk to a lawn care expert to go over the next steps.
1. Seed Your Lawn
Core aeration is especially important when you’re planning to overseed your lawn. By creating tiny pockets throughout the length of your lawn, new grass seed will have a higher germination rate. Core aeration and overseeding typically are a package deal, so this step is probably already in your lawn care plan.
2. Water Your Lawn
Plan to water your lawn within 48 hours after your aeration service. You should water your lawn for short periods for 3–4 sessions each week. You’ll want to keep the soil moist to promote healthy root/seed growth, but not oversaturated. Follow this schedule for at least two weeks—grass seed takes 10–15 days to germinate.
3. Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizer should be applied to your lawn within 48 hours of your aeration service. The best fertilizer will largely depend on your grass type and lawn size, but a lawn care professional will provide recommendations based on your lawn’s needs.
4. Mow Your Lawn After 2–4 Weeks
After 2–4 weeks, you can mow your lawn to its ideal height. Avoid removing more than ⅓ of the grass blade at a time. For warm-season grasses, mowing heights range anywhere between 2–2.5 inches, while cool-season grasses should measure around 3–4 inches.
5. Keep Heavy Traffic Off Your Lawn
While your lawn recovers, it’s best to keep heavy foot traffic off of your lawn. The holes left behind from your aeration service require time to heal and establish healthy growth, so minimize disruptions or stressors as much as possible.
Aerate Your Lawn with Barefoot Lawn Care
Looking for exceptional lawn care services in the Triangle? Contact our team at Barefoot Lawn Care to learn more about our core aeration services and other lawn maintenance plans.
Lawn Aeration FAQs
1. Should I dethatch or aerate my lawn first?
Dethatching your lawn before aerating may put less stress on an aerator, but it’s not necessary. An aerating service can help to dethatch your lawn and create space for growth.
2. Can I walk on my lawn after aeration?
Give your lawn ample time to recover without disruption. Walking on your lawn won’t cause extensive damage, but it may delay the healing process or hinder healthy growth.
3. What should I do before aerating my lawn?
Irrigate your lawn 1–2 days before your scheduled service to ensure the soil isn’t dry. A professional lawn care service will be able to fully prepare you for your aeration service.
4. How often should I aerate my lawn?
Lawns with well-draining soil and little to no traffic can be aerated once a year. Lawns with heavier soils or foot traffic should be aerated twice a year.
5. Should I clean up leftover plugs after aeration?
Avoid removing leftover plugs. Aeration cores will break down on their own and “melt” back into your lawn.
6. How long does it take to reseal after aeration?
Depending on the soil and weather, it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks for your lawn to fully heal after an aeration service.
