Why Aerating & Overseeding Is So Important (Especially After a Heatwave)

The soil in our lawns and backyards is susceptible to various elements of nature. These could be either extreme heat or cold temperatures and dryness of the air, among other things. Adequate moisture levels in the environment help increase the fertility and quality of the soil. Conversely, hot and dry air does the opposite.

We see lush greenery after the rains. Then during and after the summer season, the landscape turns a drab and dreary brown. You can make out that the soil now looks parched and scorched. Again, proof that temperature and moisture levels significantly affect the soil composition and character.

Heat-damaged soil loses much of its fertility; its composition changes altogether. Without the necessary moisture, soil affected by high temperatures turns dusty and powdery. Its ability to retain nutrients and bind is further adversely affected. It is futile to try to grow anything in such soil.

This takes us to the twin tasks of aerating and overseeding the soil. To put it succinctly, these remedies restore soil properties and help healthy green grass regrow on them. Let’s discuss why these two tasks are important and how they benefit the soil.

#1 Aerating and overseeding bring back essential nutrients to the soil

Soil needs several elements to help it nourish the plants and grass within: it needs adequate moisture to retain in elements. Secondly, it needs to be a little clumpy and able to bind to the roots of these plants and grass. This way, all nutrients (in the presence of water) get absorbed by the plant roots.

But lack of moisture and the soil becoming thin dust due to the heat take away all of the above. In such circumstances, aeration helps bring back the original soil character. By loosening up the mud, there is scope for more air (read, oxygen) to enter the soil layers. The same goes for moisture. This process helps bring back all vital nutrients into the soil. It also enables the roots of the grass to absorb these nutrients better.

#2 Aerating reduces soil compaction.

Soil compaction is when children and pets trample on your lawn, reducing the soil volume. It then continues getting pushed downwards into the earth, making it compact. This process is known as soil compaction.

Thus, it is not great for the soil to get compressed. It gets deprived of air (with oxygen) along with the other important elements discussed above. Soil that is not fertile enough will automatically make grass dull, with less volume and lack of that soft, fresh, green feel.

The process of aeration reverses soil compaction. It helps loosen the soil up and gives more room to it. The soil of your garden and backyard breathes better when you aerate it.

#3 Overseeding helps grow greener, healthier grass.

Overseeding is sowing more grass seeds into your soil or lawn. This helps to have a thicker, lusher, greener turf.

Soil can become barren and powdery due to many factors, particularly heat damage. Such soil is unsuitable for planting or seeding. Apart from aeration, when you put grass seeds in it, you promote more grass growth. But this is just one of the benefits of overseeding.

Quite a few chemical reactions and nutrient exchanges occur between the sown seed and the soil surrounding it. It is like your soil has got a new source of essential nutrients. These are necessary to reverse the damage caused by a heatwave. Thus replenished, your soil can yield greener pastures again, literally!

Lastly, overseeding has a kind of chain-reaction benefit. When you overseed, you promote germination and grass growth. So, the initial round of overseeding will stimulate grass growth which will further stimulate it.

#4 Overseeding helps protect your soil and the grass above it from insects and lawn disease.

We have talked about overseeding, leading to numerous chemical processes and exchanging materials. This takes place deep within the soil layers. When this happens, untoward elements like insects and pests die out. The soil has adequate oxygen and air, which can kill them. It is like a natural insect repellent is working beneath your garden. It just takes the form of tiny grass seeds.

Once you take care of these insects, other consequential issues like lawn disease disappear too. Lawn disease is a significant degree of pest infestation that will also affect the grass and plants in your garden.

#5 Combined, aeration and overseeding help combat the growth of weeds. This usually happens when the soil becomes weaker.

 Poor quality of soil often encourages weeds to grow. The thing is, with time, these sorts of things take over your garden or yard. They can thus become really difficult to manage and control.

But the combined actions of soil aeration and overseeding take care of weeds. They ensure little-to-no weed formation because now, the soil is of optimally better quality for the growth of grass, plants, etc. This is due to the combined actions of improving oxygen levels in soil and letting it breathe. This ensures the formation of all nutrients and factors that make the soil fertile.

#6 Finally, these combined practices help restore the beauty and grandeur of your garden or yard.

To end things, by doing the above, you are a few steps closer to getting the lawn of your dreams and plants with fresh, healthy leaves and flowers. You are offering the soil in your yard or garden a kind of revitalization therapy. In the process, you are also taking care of those untoward insects and unsightly weeds.

In conclusion, aeration and overseeding, particularly after a heatwave, are crucial to restoring the quality and fertility of your soil and obtaining a lush green lawn or attractive, healthy plants. Let your lawn breathe with overseeding and core aeration services if your soil seems compacted and your grass has experienced heat stress. You’ll receive substantial, dense turf in the upcoming spring. Call T&B Landscape and Irrigation immediately to schedule your fall core aeration and overseeding appointment.