When Should I Aerate and Overseed my Lawn?
There are two schools of thought to consider when your lawn requires aeration and seeding. One of them says that the best time to take care of this work is in the early spring, while the other suggests that fall is the ideal time to take care of everything.
The best time to aerate and overseed a lawn depends on the species you have planted on your property and the climate where you’re located.
When you live in a northerly climate, most lawns feature a variety that performs well in cooler temperatures. It is better to do the aeration and overseeding work in the early spring or early fall to support the growth cycle in that circumstance.
Lawns in a southerly climate typically feature warm-weather species. The best time to do the aeration work is in the late spring or early summer because of its growth preferences.
Is It Better to Wait Until Fall?
Many professionals call autumn the “undisputed best time of year” for completing the aeration and overseeding work that lawns and gardens need each year.
That’s because fall often brings warm days and cool nights. This combination creates extra warmth in the soil, dying weeds that provide nutrients, and additional precipitation to prepare the grass for the dormant winter cycle.
When you complete the aeration work in spring, there is still a risk that the grass could be dormant. Even if it starts developing, there’s a bunch of dormant weed seeds waiting to grow. If you complete the work at this time, it could cause weeding problems in the summer.
For Pacific Northwest, there’s an added factor of freezing vs non-freezing temperatures. If you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures and snowfall, the best time to plant new grasses in this region is approximately six weeks before the first expected snowfall. In areas that don’t receive any snow (or freezing temperatures), these lawns work better with the overseeding and aeration happening about six weeks before summer.
Should I Aerate the Lawn First or Do the Overseeding Work?
In order for seeds to grow, they need contact with the soil, so it’s recommended to aerate your lawn before overseeding.
How Often Should I Aerate or Overseed my Lawn?
Unless exceptional circumstances exist, most homeowners only need to perform aeration and overseeding work once per year to support a healthy lawn.
If you have any questions about this work or wish to schedule an appointment, please feel free to reach out to our team at your convenience.