Core Aeration & Seeding

What is Core Aeration?

Core aeration is a lawn care process that removes small plugs of soil from your yard using specialized equipment. This reduces soil compaction and creates channels for air, water, and nutrients to move freely into the root zone. Over time, heavy foot traffic, mowing, and natural settling can compress the soil, making it harder for grass roots to grow deep and healthy. Aeration opens the lawn back up, giving your grass the room it needs to breathe and thrive.

Why We Don’t Remove the Plugs?

The soil plugs left after core aeration are full of nutrients and beneficial microbes. As they break down naturally in 1–2 weeks, they feed your lawn, improve soil structure, and help smooth the surface. Leaving them is healthier for your grass and saves unnecessary labor and cost.

Why Combine Core Aeration with Overseeding?

Right after aeration, your lawn is in the perfect condition for new grass seed. The holes left behind provide ideal seed-to-soil contact, protecting seeds from being washed away or eaten by birds, and giving them the best chance to germinate. By overseeding immediately after aeration, we:

Fill in bare or thin areas

Improve turf density and color

Introduce stronger, more disease-resistant grass varieties

Create a thicker lawn that naturally suppresses weeds

Best Time for Core Aeration & Overseeding – Cool-Season Lawn

We have a cool-season lawn—like tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, or perennial ryegrass—so timing is everything. The health and success of our aeration and overseeding efforts depend on choosing the right season when grass can germinate quickly, grow strong roots, and outcompete weeds.

Why Late Summer to Early Fall is Ideal?

For most regions, the prime window for cool-season lawn renovation is late August through early October. Here’s why this time works so well:

Warm Soil for Germination

Grass seed needs soil temperatures between 50–65°F for best germination. In late summer, the soil is still warm from summer heat, which speeds up sprouting and early root growth.

Cooler Daytime Temperatures

While the soil stays warm, the air temperatures begin to cool—usually dropping into the 60s and 70s during the day. This reduces stress on young grass seedlings and minimizes water loss from evaporation.

Reduced Weed Competition

Aggressive summer weeds like crabgrass and spurge are beginning to fade. With fewer weeds to compete for space, nutrients, and sunlight, your new grass has a clear advantage.

Extended Growing Season

Overseeded lawns in late summer/early fall have 6–8 weeks of prime growing time before the first frost. This allows seedlings to grow strong roots and establish themselves before going dormant in winter.

Natural Moisture Advantage

Fall often brings more consistent rainfall, which helps keep the soil evenly moist—perfect for seed germination and early growth.

Add Starter Fertilizer for Stronger, Faster Growth

After aeration and overseeding, your lawn is in the best condition to take in nutrients. By applying Starter Fertilizer (18-24-12) right after the process, you’ll give your new seed the boost it needs to grow quickly and establish strong roots.

Faster germination so you see green sooner
Stronger root growth for long-term lawn health
Thicker, greener turf that fills in bare spots faster
Up to 8 weeks of feeding during the critical early growth stage

Because the aeration holes allow the fertilizer to reach deep into the soil, the nutrients go directly where the new seed needs them most. Adding this option to your aeration and overseeding service ensures your investment delivers the best possible results.