After spending so much time and care to ensure your lawn is healthy and green, you don’t want to mess it up. Strategic care practices like aeration, fertilizing, and overseeding are essential to the health of your grass, but do you know what to do after aerating your lawn? The order of which step to take next is important because it directly affects how well your lawn recovers and thrives. So, should you fertilize or seed first after aeration?
What to Do After Aerating Your Lawn: Seeding or Fertilizing First?
Aeration creates tiny holes in the soil, loosening compact earth so that air, water, and nutrients can penetrate deeper into the roots. It sets the stage for overseeding and fertilizing to succeed if they are done correctly.
Seeding First
So, should you fertilize or seed first after aeration? Seeding right after aeration is widely recommended. The small holes created by the aerator are ideal for trapping grass seeds, which gives them direct contact with the soil. The contact promotes improved germination rates and helps establish a thicker and healthier lawn.
When you overseed immediately after aeration:
- The seeds settle into the aeration holes, reducing their exposure to elements that could wash them away.
- The soil structure provides a protective environment, improving seed-to-soil contact.
- Germination is optimized, filling bare or thin patches with new grass growth.
Fertilizing Second
Once you’ve overseeded, the next step is to fertilize the lawn. A high-quality starter fertilizer provides essential nutrients that encourage new grass to establish roots and grow. Fertilizing within 24 to 48 hours after seeding ensures the grass seeds receive the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) they need to thrive.
This process of seeding after fertilizing creates the perfect environment for new growth. The seeds germinate in nutrient-rich soil, while the fertilizer boosts their development, giving your lawn the highest chance of success.
Benefits of Seeding After Aeration
Aeration primes your lawn for overseeding in a few different ways:
- Enhanced germination: The loosened soil and aeration holes create the perfect environment for seeds to penetrate, increasing the chances they’ll sprout and grow.
- Thicker lawn coverage: Overseeding helps fill in any bare spots in your lawn, giving it a uniform appearance.
- Improved resilience: A thicker lawn is more resistant to diseases, pests, and weeds.
While these benefits are valuable, knowing when to seed after aeration is helpful. You should time it with the type of grass you have. Here are some examples:
- Cool-season grass: Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue benefit from overseeding in early fall, when the soil temperatures are warm but the air temperature is cool.
- Warm-season grass: Bermuda, zoysia, and centipede grass thrive with spring overseeding as the soil temperatures warm.
Benefits of Fertilizing After Seeding
Fertilizing after seeding provides newly planted grass with the nutrients it needs to grow quickly.
- Essential nutrients: Starter fertilizers help the grass seedlings develop deep and strong roots.
- Faster establishment: Accelerated grass growth improves density, making it harder for weeds to grow.
- Improved lawn health: Proper fertilization enhances the lawn’s ability to resist drought, stress, pests, and weeds.
When to Seed and Fertilize After Aeration
The following is an easy step-by-step reference to help you with the process:
- Aerate your lawn first. This will open up the compacted soil and set the foundation for success.
- Seed immediately after aeration. Spread the seeds over the lawn and let them settle into the aeration holes.
- Fertilize after seeding. Wait 24-48 hours, and then add fertilizer to provide nutrients to the grass seed.
- Water lightly but consistently — just enough to keep the soil moist.
If you’re struggling with any part of this process, contact a lawn care expert like Lawn Pride® for guidance on how to aerate your lawn for the desired results.
Other Tips on What to Do After Aerating Your Lawn
After seeding and fertilizing, water the lawn lightly and frequently to keep the soil moist. Avoid overwatering because this can displace the seeds and fertilizer, sabotaging all your efforts. As the seeds start growing, water less frequently.
Refrain from mowing for at least three weeks from when you seeded to allow the grass to grow and establish itself. Once the grass reaches three inches high, mow with a sharp blade to avoid pulling out the seeds. Follow our expert lawn tips for further care and maintenance.
How Lawn Pride Can Help You Get the Most Out of Aeration
Aeration, seeding, and fertilizing can seem overwhelming, but Lawn Pride makes it easy to know what to do after you aerate your lawn. Our expert team uses tailored strategies to ensure your lawn receives the care it needs. We offer customized services, expert aeration, and comprehensive care with our 7-Application Program. All of our services are backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™, ensuring your satisfaction.
Request your free estimate from us today!
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not apply to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Lawn Pride is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Lawn Pride for more information and a professional on-site assessment.