Time to schedule your 2020 fall aeration, overseeding and topdressing with compost 

Fall seems far away during these hot summer days, but now is the perfect time to schedule your fall 2020 aeration, overseeding and topdressing with compost. Paradise Lawns recommends you start with aeration, then overseeding followed by an application of topdressing with compost. Since overseeding should be complete by mid-September, the time to get started is now. Because what you do in 2020 will determine how healthy and lush your lawn will be in 2021. Let’s look at each step and learn why they are important.  

Fall Aeration 

Aeration is the act of pulling plugs of soil out of the ground. These openings allow air, nutrients and water to penetrate deep into the soil; strengthening roots and resulting in a healthier lawn. By having your lawn aerated yearly, you also prevent soil compaction and reduce thatch growth.

Lawn Compaction 

Do your kids or pets like to run around the yard regularly? Maybe they ride their bikes across the lawn to get to the street and now there is a grass-less trail? Do you mow the same pattern every time and now have wheel marks in your lawn? Is your home a new build? If you answered yes to any of these, your soil is probably compacted. The result is that compaction makes it more difficult for grass to grow and thrive, resulting in potential drainage issues. When you aerate, the holes create open pockets in the soil and fight against compaction. Grass roots can once again grow and spread. Rain can penetrate deep into the soil and you won’t have to worry about runoff or low spots forming where water may puddle.

Thatch

”Thatch is the spongy and often impervious layer of decaying material between the crown of the grass plants and the soil.” It is best to keep thatch thickness to less than ½ inch.  Aerating each fall will keep the thatch level from increasing. Excess thatch issues may require a process known as double aeration. Double aeration (dethatching) reduces the thatch layer. Once we achieve less than ½ inch of thatch thickness, you can return to yearly aeration practices to maintain the appropriate level. Paradise Lawns prefers the double aeration method to power raking because it is more cost effective for the client and causes less damage to the lawn. We will discuss your lawn care needs if we notice an issue with thatch overgrowth. 

The best time to aerate is before overseeding and applying topdressing with compost. Since mid September is the recommended deadline for seeding, now is a good time to schedule your aeration. Once you call, we will handle the timing and aerate when the conditions are best.  

Overseeding

The best time to seed in the Omaha metro area is between August to mid September after having your lawn aerated. This allows for seed to germinate and establish before winter. Each week you delay past the middle of September translates into 2-4 additional weeks for grass to mature. Once the ground freezes you run the risk of stunting the new turf grass just as it is beginning to grow.

Overseeding is simply adding a large quantity of certified grass seed to your freshly aerated lawn at the rate of 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet. We use quality commercial spreaders to ensure consistency. Seed specialists spend countless hours developing these super seeds to produce lusher, greener lawns in harsher conditions. By introducing new cultivars of grass into your existing lawn each year, you increase resistance to disease and insects while promoting improved drought tolerance.

“One nice thing about seeding in the fall is you generally won’t have the weed competition like you do when seeding or overseeding in the spring.” The result is a strong and healthy lawn with fewer weeds. You can seed after winter ends, but waiting until spring can be risky due to temperature fluctuations – a cold snap could kill grass just as it starts to grow. It is a safer bet to seed in the fall.

Topdressing with Compost

Topdressing with compost provides a nutrient-rich environment for seeds to grow. It reduces lawn stresses, helps keep thatch under control and acts as a long-term natural fertilizer. As the most beneficial cultural practice lawn care has to offer, it’s no wonder that it has been a practice at golf courses for decades.Why not take advantage of the benefits for your lawn? 

Paradise Lawns uses organic compost. When mature grass and new seeds have a rich environment in which to grow, they can flourish. As a result, there will be a reduction in surface cracks and spaces where weeds and thatch normally like to inhabit. Applying topdressing with compost will also help even out your yard. It can be applied anytime, but works especially well right after completion of aeration and overseeding treatments. This simple process can help your lawn return in the spring healthier than ever.

Schedule today

Aeration, Overseeding and Topdressing with Compost work extremely well together. Aeration reduces compaction and keeps thatch in check. Overseeding after aeration provides space for seeds to grow and topdressing with compost provides a layer of moisture protection and nutrients so your grass roots can grow strong and healthy. 

By taking these simple steps in the fall, your lawn can return in 2021 healthier and stronger.

Don’t delay. Call Paradise Lawns at 402-612-1527 or visit us online to let us know you are ready to get started preparing your lawn for Spring 2021. Once you contact us, you can leave the timing of each service to us. As your Omaha area lawn care professional, we know the optimum time and will take care of it for you. It may seem far away, but what you do now will determine how healthy your lawn is in 2021. Let’s make it a great year! 

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