turf grass will benefit from loosened soil. Keep in mind that the best time to aerate Bermuda, zoyzia, and warm season grasses would be early spring. The best time to areate Fescue would be in the fall with seed applied following aeration.
What is aeration?
Aeration is the mechanical removal of soil cores from the lawn. These one to two inch cores are left on top of the lawn and as the cores break down, microbes feed on and break down thatch. Thatch is the spongy and often impervious layer of decaying material between the crown of the grass plants and the soil.
Why is aeration needed?
Not only does aeration help reduce soil compaction, but it allows water to reach deep and through the root zone. This benefits microorganisms living in the soil. These organisms break down existing thatch, improve soil quality and release additional nutrients for healthy plant development. Nutrients are easily taken in by the plant when aeration is completed. The holes created through aeration in the soil allow roots to expand, resulting in improved turf quality and vitality.
When is the best time to have your lawn aerated and overseeded?
The most effective time of year for aerating and overseeding is in the fall for cool season grasses, such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, and in the spring or summer for warm season grasses, such as bermudagrass and zoysiagrass.
What are the benefits of overseeding?
Overseeding allows new grass varieties to be introduced to a lawn to resist diseases and insect attacks. Similarly, as a lawn thickens with the new seed growth, it will also be better suited to crowd out weeds.
