The Pros and Cons of Slice Seeding Vs. Aeration

The fall season is about to set in and your lawn is ready for the change. Or is it? While summer was filled with joyful times of fun in the sun, your lawn may have had a different experience. It has probably been trampled on, subjected to high heat and drought, and accosted with weeds and insects. What your lawn is ready for is a much needed rejuvenation! The dry patches and weeds might be a bit daunting, but there is a way to give your lawn a boost before fall sets in. You have a handful of options for doing that such as slice seeding, aeration, or overseeding. Which one is best? In this article we’ll cover the pros and cons of each and which one might be right for your Northeast lawn.

What is Slice Seeding?

Slice seeding is aptly named as such because this method utilizes a steel bladed machine that slices into the yard. These slices create what we call furrows in your soil. Afterward, the machine places grass seeds into the furrows. This method is more efficient than just simply spreading seed onto the lawn because it allows the grass seed to come into direct contact with the soil – a place where it is more likely to grow. This machine is impressively efficient. You can adjust the slicing depth based on the type of seed, and each slice is measured so that the grass seed is distributed evenly across the area. 

What is Aeration?

Holes in your yard might seem like a problem you have to fix. However, when it comes to aeration, holes are the main attraction. Over the course of time, the soil under your grass can become compacted and tough. This can cause serious growth impairments in your lawn. As with almost anything living, if there’s no oxygen, there’s no life. Your grass is not much different in this aspect. It needs to breathe so that grass roots can properly absorb nutrients and water to survive. Without getting to breathe, your grass can become weak and an involuntary victim to disease and weeds.

What aeration does is quite unique because it provides air to the soil by perforating small holes into the grass. This allows water and nutrients to penetrate the grass more deeply in order to produce a more vibrant and thriving lawn. In addition, grass roots can grow deeper giving it more durability to last through winter. Aeration also gives your lawn the ability to better absorb rainfall and reduce stormwater runoff.

What is Overseeding?

Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed directly into your lawn without ruining the soil. Overseeding is a very important step to a healthy lawn because it revives damaged grass caused by heavy foot traffic, lack of water, and heat. Sowing better varieties of grass can improve your entire lawn in addition to filling in patches where you have no grass at all. Overseeding is best done in the fall while your soil is still warm but the air is cool enough to produce strong roots. Overseeding is often done immediately after aeration or slice seeding. 

Which approach is best?

Each lawn is different, and it’s best to identify the specific needs of your grass to determine which is the best route to take. For example, if you have a lush lawn already, you might benefit from just aeration as part of your regular lawn maintenance accompanied by overseeding to keep the green vibrant. However, if you have areas with visibly thin grass or no grass at all, you might want to boost grass growth with slice seeding. This method will get seeds in the soil most efficiently and more thoroughly. This will give you much quicker results. There may be a situation where you can combine these efforts. For example, after aeration, you might want to consider overseeding for an even better rejuvenation. 

If you’re in the Andover, MA area call us at (978) 296-5290.  Or, fill out our simple web form, and we’ll contact you about setting up your free consultation.