Your Seasonal Aeration and Overseeding Guide

If you’re looking to take your lawn to the next level, it may be time to start aerating and overseeding. Aerating is a process needed about once a year to help grass grow thicker and healthier. When paired with seeding, or overseeding, this annual project will leave your yard lush while relieving soil compaction. 

Soil compaction is common for most lawns, which restricts the nutrients needed to reach the grass roots and can greatly affect the look and feel of your lawn as the season changes. To combat compaction, aeration is the answer. A lawn aerator works to reduce compaction by puncturing the ground and pulling plugs out of the soil. This allows for key nutrients and water to reach the roots. 

When Should You Aerate Your Lawn?

It’s also critical to choose the right season for when to aerate your lawn. For grasses commonly found in more seasonal climates in the North, consider aerating during the early fall or early spring. In the South and other warmer climates, the best time to aerate your lawn is in the late spring. 

How to Aerate Your Lawn

Depending on the size of your property, the process to aerate and seed lawns is an easy DIY project you can tackle in a weekend with The Home Depot Rental. From how to aerate lawns to overseeding, this guide will help transform your landscape in a few easy steps. 

Step 1: Consider Dethatching Prior to Aeration and Overseeding 

Dethatching and aerating are technically two different projects but using them together provides even more health benefits for your lawn prior to overseeding. Thatch is the dead layer of organic matter that sits just between the soil and grass. Rent a power rake to remove this layer that can cause further nutrient restriction to your lawn.  

Before dethatching, always cut your grass to half its normal height. Next, get started using your power rake rental. Variable speeds and self-propulsion make this model easy to maneuver in yards of any size. Once finished, your lawn will look a bit ragged, so use a leaf rake to collect and dispose of the loosened thatch. 

Step 2: Water Your Lawn 

A day prior to aeration, be sure to water your lawn. This is beneficial to both the soil and your lawn aerator rental. However, just as it’s never a good idea to attempt an aeration project in overly dry conditions, you’ll also want to ensure you don’t overwater and create excessively wet conditions either.  

Step 3: Choose a Lawn Aerator Rental 

Because aeration is an annual project, a lawn aerator rental is ideal. Aerator rentals are great for moderate to small properties and can cover 23,000 square feet per hour, which means you can hammer this project out in a weekend.  

Aerators are easy to use and operate with self-propelled and compact portability options that make maneuvering through gates and around landscaping a breeze. Before getting started, always read the Use and Care Manual. Once your aerator is on flat ground and in the desired location, push down on the lowering handle putting the tines into the turf. Pull back slowly on the control handles to start aerating.  

If you’re looking to aerate a larger property, consider a towable lawn aerator rental. A towable aerator can aerate up to 3 acres of land per hour. This version drives tines into the ground rather than extracting soil plugs, which is another efficient way to aerate the soil. Just attach this model to the tow hitch of your riding mower, fill it with water to weigh down the body and get started. Always be sure to review the operations manual prior to starting your project. 

But before you get started, it’s essential to water the area that you’ll be aerating. 

Step 4: When to Seed Your Lawn 

The time just after aeration is ideal for seeding and overseeding. Take advantage of this time and seed sparse areas and make any repairs to your lawn. An overseeder rental can make this project quick, easy, and rewarding. It’s also the perfect time to fertilize because nutrients have a direct line to the grass roots. You’ll want to purchase seed that matches your current grass type, which is often determined by your geographic area. Certain seed types don’t grow as well in different climates, so it’s important to choose the correct seed type for your lawn.  

The combination of aeration and overseeding once a year will have your lawns looking lush in no time. Take advantage of the early fall season and get from doing to done with The Home Depot Rental.