How Do I Prepare My Lawn for Aeration & Seeding

What you need to know in Virginia

It’s that time of year again when fescue lawns need to be aerated and seeded to recover from the heat and humidity of summer. Annual aeration and seeding is a reward for your lawn each year. Here are a few tips that can help prepare your lawn. 

Watering

We utilize core aerators when aerating lawns.  The machines have weights in the front to assist them in pulling a deep plug from the soil.  Watering the lawn prior to the service will further aid in the depth of plug that will be pulled.  The ground should be moist but not soaking wet.  If the soil is too wet, the machines will bog down and perform poorly.  In areas of soil that are clay ridden and compacted, watering prior to the service is especially key. 

Marking Obstacles 

The metal tines of the aerators will damage any obstacles at or below grade up to 3 inches. Objects to be marked include: irrigation heads, valve box covers, drainage pipes, shallow electrical lines, and/or other sub-surface objects. Wire flags available from hardware stores are the best tool for marking and should be placed directly on top of the object. Spray paint should NOT be utilized as it is usually only visible after the aerator has passed over the painted object and damage will result. The machines can be easily maneuvered around obstacles provided the operator can easily see the flag and plan his route. Lawn furniture, children’s toys and other moveable objects should be removed from the lawn to allow the operators to efficiently aerate the lawn without having to stop and move the items. 

By following these simple tips, the aeration and seeding process will go smoothly. Your lawn will greatly benefit from aeration and seeding. Luckily, Virginia Green is scheduling appointments now!