A lot of people in and around West Chester, Ohio are noticing the effects of the hot summer we’ve had. Their soil is becoming compacted, grass is beginning to wilt, and lawns aren’t as lush as they were in the spring.

If you’re noticing this happening in your yard, you may need aeration and overseeding to revitalize your grass. Fall is the best time to take this important step in proper lawn care – and the professionals at Ziehler Lawn & Tree Care are here to help!

Signs Your Lawn Needs Overseeding

There are some telltale signs that your lawn needs a lot of help before winter settles in over Ohio. Not giving your grass the care it needs before winter could lead to your yard completely dying off when the snow comes. If your lawn is showing these warning signs, you should aerate and overseed your yard this fall:

• Brown patches spreading across your yard
• Your grass looks worn out, or tired
• You haven’t overseeded in the last four years
• Your lawn looks like it’s thinning out or getting damaged

When to Overseed Your Lawn

Overseeding should be done in the fall in order to get the best results, preferably September. By overseeding in the fall your new grass won’t be exposed to the harsh summer sun, and your lawn will be revitalized before cold weather damages your lawn even more.

A major misconception is that only damaged lawns need overseeding. Grass gets old after a few years and can’t germinate the way it used to, and worn-out lawns invite weeds, disease, and insects to come make a home in your lawn. Even if your lawn is looking healthy right now, overseeding is an inexpensive way to ensure that it stays that way all year long.

Aerate First, Overseed Second

Overseeding before aeration will probably result in some fresh grass, but most of the seeds won’t be able to grow. The seeds won’t be able to sprout for the same reasons that your grass was beginning to wilt: poor soil, compaction, insufficient water, excess thatch, and poor air circulation. You can rent an aerator from a local hardware store, but it’s probably more cost effective to hire a lawn care professional to do it for you. Aerating the soil is a simple process, but it does wonders for a yard. Here’s how it works:

• The summer sun compacts the soil of your lawn so it’s difficult for key ingredients to get to the root of your grass
• Aeration creates thousands of tiny holes throughout your yard, loosening up the soil
• These holes, or aerations, allow nutrients, water, fertilizer, and air easy access to the roots of your grass
• Strong roots grow deeper into the soil and are more susceptible to drought and harsh temperatures

The Benefits of Overseeding

Once your lawn has been aerated, it’s time to overseed. Overseeding is exactly that – laying down lots of weed-free grass seed. The seeds will fall in the fresh holes and be able to take advantage of soil that is now healthier, turned, and ready to produce lush grass. Overseeding will produce a healthy carpet of thick grass that will revitalize your lawn and restore it to it’s natural beauty. Healthy grass is much better equipped to prevent weeds, fight off disease, be resistant to insect infestations.

While this is a simple process, it does require a lot of work. Aerators can be heavy and difficult to maneuver, so if you want some help this fall to revitalize your lawn just give us a call!