Due to the unforeseen weather this summer, many have suffered excessive weed problems, lawn disease issues, and an abundance of water in the soil. In order to rejuvenate your lawn, aeration and seeding is a must do in order to bring back your luxurious lawn.
Aeration
What is aeration? Aeration plugs holes in the soil to allow air and other micro nutrients to absorb into the soil. It helps the soil to drain excessive water and helps eliminate soil compaction.
The best time for cool season turf grass to be aerated is when the weather is mild and the soil is moist. Usually, early spring or in September when temperatures are mild. This is the time to also consider seeding and applying a starter fertilizer. If you have not had a current soil test you should have one done to find out if your PH levels are where they should be. If they are low then you need a lime application. During this process you need to allow irrigation to be run for at least 2 1/2 to 3 weeks, moistening the soil, to allow new seed to germinate.
Whether you’re a do-it-yourself or hire a professional there are watering guidelines you should follow in order to get the most effective results. Keep in mind that there may be watering restrictions in your area and you should adhere to them.
- You should water immediately after you have completed your application.
- You ONLY need enough water to moisten the soil – too much water can wash away the seed and not enough water can cause the seed to dry out and allow birds to have a feeding frenzy!
- You need to turn on a zone in your system. See how long it takes to moisten the soil and then program your timer for that amount of run time in the zone. Average run time for sunny areas is 5-8 minutes per zone, however seeded shaded areas may use even less run time.
- You need to water 2-3 times a day to keep the soil moist. You do not want the soil to dry out.
On average you should see seed germination within 7- 14 days. Make sure your rain sensor is operating properly during this time.
Remember aerating enhances oxygen to stimulate root growth and helps speed up the decomposition of thatch. A healthy lawn is a happy lawn and a happy homeowner!