Why Not Spring?
Most people believe there isn’t much to do for your lawn until spring when it comes to lawn maintenance. Nevertheless, it might be detrimental to wait until spring to get your lawn ready for the growing season. In the spring, the earth is chilly and teeming with dormant weed seeds. This soil can become even more weed-infested after aeration, suffocating newly-emerging grasses in the process. Additionally, immature grass plants that haven’t had a chance to form deep root systems can die if the summer heat hits too early.
Why Fall is Best
The fall season, however, means warmer soil and a lot fewer weed seeds. Annual weeds, if any, are normally dying at this time of year, leaving your young grass with minimal competition. Aerating is most efficient in these circumstances since it may be carried out without promoting additional weed growth. Additionally, it gives newly overseeded grasses time to develop deep roots before the onset of the colder winter months.
Won’t Cold Temperature Kill the Grass?
A major worry among many homeowners is how the effects of cold or freezing conditions may affect their new lawns. But you shouldn’t worry! Fall overseeding allows the grass to establish robust roots before the onset of winter. The fresh grass will be able to withstand the winter and resume growing in the spring.
The Benefits of Aeration
If you are wondering if it is worth the time and cost to aerate your rental property’s lawn, the answer is definitely yes. Aeration improves soil health by reducing compaction and facilitating the penetration of water, air, and nutrients into the root zone. This may result in turf that grows thicker and healthier. It also promotes a stronger root system, reduces thatch buildup, and improves drainage.
Seeding or overseeding a lawn can be much more effective if aerating is used. This happens because the holes made by aeration permit the new grass seeds to meet with soil and establish roots more easily. The final result is a lawn that any Berryville property manager would be proud to have because it is thicker and lusher.
Pro Tips to Aerate and Overseed a Healthy Lawn
You can use a hand or mechanical aerator from your local hardware store to aerate the lawn of your rental property. Both varieties of aerators will take out tiny soil plugs from the lawn. However, even when using a motorized aerator, the process can still be laborious and physically taxing. For this reason, many people choose to hire a professional for this task.
As you aerate, cover the entire lawn and make several passes in various directions for even coverage. By doing this, you can be sure the lawn has been adequately aerated and is prepared to receive seed.
Select a grass seed mixture suitable for your environment and lawn conditions for sowing or overseeding. You might want to speak with a lawn care expert before purchasing one because the type of grass you choose is very significant. Spread the seed evenly across the lawn and water it frequently to keep the soil damp so that new seedlings can sprout.
By caring for it in the fall, you can prepare your lawn for a lush and healthy growing season the following year. And a healthy lawn is the best thing for luring tenants and supporting high property values! However, if lawn care is not high on your priority list for property maintenance, you may want to consider hiring professionals.
At Real Property Management Elevation, we offer comprehensive property maintenance services that can keep all parts of your investment property looking great. Contact us online today to learn more.