If your lawn is thin, patchy or hard as a rock, core aeration and overseeding is one of the best things you can do for it. For cool-season lawns in southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, early fall is the ideal time.

What core aeration does

Over time, foot traffic, mowers and clay soil compact the ground. Core aeration pulls small plugs of soil out of the lawn so air, water and nutrients can reach the roots again. The plugs break down on their own in a week or two.

Why overseed at the same time

The holes left by aeration give new seed great contact with the soil. Overseeding fills in thin spots and adds newer, stronger grass varieties to your lawn.

Why fall works best

• Warm soil helps seed germinate quickly
• Cooler air is easier on young grass
• Fewer weeds compete with new seedlings than in spring
• New grass has fall and spring to root in before summer heat

After seeding

Keep the seeded areas moist with light, frequent watering until the new grass is established, and hold off on heavy traffic. Follow up with a feeding from our lawn fertilization program.

Learn more about our aeration and overseeding service.