Since 2000 in business
Lawn aeration and overseeding in Kernersville, NC
Core aeration for compacted Kernersville clay, then overseeding while the holes are open, every early fall.
Fall aeration books from August into October
Free written estimate before work starts
- Since 2000 in business.
- Licensed and insured.
When to aerate fescue in the Piedmont
Early fall, September into October, is the best time to aerate a fescue lawn in the Triad. The grass is growing roots again after summer, the soil is still warm, and the lawn has the whole cool season to fill the holes in.
Spring aeration is a second choice for a badly compacted lawn, but it also stirs up the soil just as crabgrass is about to sprout. Summer is the wrong time for fescue: aerating heat-stressed grass only adds stress. Bermuda and zoysia lawns are the exception, and are aerated in late spring or early summer while they grow.
Early fall
The best time for fescue, and the time to overseed.
Spring
Only for badly compacted soil; weeds are about to sprout.
Summer
Wrong for fescue; right for bermuda and zoysia.
What an aeration and overseeding visit includes
- Core aeration across the lawnExtra passes on the most compacted ground, plugs left to break down.
- Overseeding with turf-type tall fescueSeed dropped into the open holes, where it meets the soil.Add-on
- Starter feeding for the new seedFed on the same visit, so young roots have what they need.Add-on
- Sprinkler heads marked and avoidedFlag them, and any shallow lines, and the tines stay clear.
- A watering plan for the new seedHow often and how long to water through the first weeks.
From an aeration customer
They were timely and did a great job.
Lawn aeration cost and what changes it
The aerator covers ground pass by pass, so the lawn itself sets the job: how big, how hard and how steep.
- Lawn size
- The aerator covers the lawn pass by pass, so a bigger lawn takes longer.
- How compacted the soil is
- Hard clay can need extra passes to pull enough plugs.
- Slopes and banks
- Steep banks take extra passes.
- Overseeding and feeding
- Seed and a fall feeding added on the same visit change the scope of the job.
Getting ready for aeration day
Mow before we come
Shorter grass lets the aerator reach the soil. We can mow it on the visit before if you are on our mowing schedule.
Water the day before
Slightly moist soil lets the tines pull clean, deep plugs. Bone-dry clay is too hard and soaked clay smears.
Mark sprinkler heads
Flag sprinkler heads, shallow lines and invisible dog fence wire, and clear toys and furniture off the lawn.
We aerate
The core aerator crosses the whole lawn, with extra passes on the hardest ground.
We seed and feed while the holes are open
Overseeding and a fall feeding right after aeration put seed and nutrients straight into the holes.
Core aeration or spike aeration?
| Method | How it works | How well it works on clay |
|---|---|---|
| Core aeration | How it works: Hollow tines pull small plugs of soil out of the lawn and leave them on top to break down. | On clay: The one that works: removing soil relieves compaction and gives roots room to grow. |
| Spike aeration | How it works: Solid spikes poke holes in the lawn without removing any soil. | On clay: Little help: pushing spikes into clay presses the soil around each hole even tighter. |
Why clay lawns need core aeration
Kernersville lawns grow on red clay, and clay packs down. Foot traffic, mowers and heavy rain press the soil tighter every year until water runs off instead of soaking in and the roots cannot spread. The result is a lawn that thins out, browns early in a dry spell and fills with weeds.
Core aeration pulls thousands of small plugs of soil out of the lawn. The holes let air, water and fertilizer down to the roots, the roots grow into the space, and seed dropped in right after lands on bare soil instead of thatch. Once a year in early fall suits most fescue lawns on clay.
Aeration pairs with lawn seeding and a fall lawn fertilization visit.
Plugs, sprinklers and how often to aerate
How often should I aerate?
Most fescue lawns on Piedmont clay do well with aeration once a year, in early fall. Lawns with heavy traffic, like a play area or a path the dog runs, benefit the most.
What do I do with the plugs?
Leave them. Rain and the next few mowings break them up, and the soil goes back into the lawn.
Should I overseed after aerating?
In the fall, usually yes. Seed that lands in the holes gets good contact with the soil and comes up well. Our seeding page covers seed choice and watering.
Can you aerate a lawn with sprinklers?
Yes. Mark the heads and any shallow lines before we come, and we work around them.
Will aeration damage my lawn?
No. The lawn looks a little rough for a week or two with the plugs on top, then the holes fill in as the roots grow into them.
Ask about aeration and overseeding
Tell us about the job. We come out, look at it with you and put a price in writing. Nothing starts until you approve it.
Rather talk, or send a photo?
Request a free written estimate
Your name and phone, so we can reach you. Everything else helps.