Get matched with top lawn irrigation specialists in Poplarville, MS

When you don’t aerate your lawn, the soil will become more compact over time. This limits how much water can soak in to reach the roots of your grass, and it keeps oxygen and carbon dioxide from the plant roots. This can limit grass growth, which may sound great for limiting mowing, but it also leads to a lawn full of grass that looks dull and sparse. Eventually, compacted soil can weaken grass, while also making it more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and erosion and even causing it to die off.

While dethatching first often makes the aeration process faster and easier, both actions can be done on the same day. Aeration can also loosen up the thatch, even if you have a harder time aerating the soil because the thatch got too thick. Because both dethatching and aeration have the common goal of making it easier for the soil to get water and nutrients, it’s safe and possible to do both at the same time.

If your grass is stressed from being over-trimmed, try watering it heavily and then allowing it to recover for at least two weeks before mowing again. If you notice brown patches where the grass has died off because it’s too short, you should remove the dead grass and overseed the area. Leaving dead patches can invite weeds and other problems, so if you want a totally green lawn, getting rid of dead patches should include removing the dead sections before reseeding the area.

Overseeding after aeration is not always necessary, but it can be highly beneficial, especially for lawns with thin or patchy areas. Aeration creates an optimal environment for new grass seed germination by improving soil contact and reducing competition from thatch. If you aim to thicken your lawn, address bare spots, or introduce a new grass variety, overseeding immediately after aeration can help rejuvenate and enhance your lawn's overall health and appearance. However, whether you overseed or not depends on your specific lawn goals and condition.