For the best lawn growth and most effective use of water and nutrients, it’s essential to aerate lawns to keep the soil from becoming too compacted. This lawn maintenance process should be completed once a year, and for fescue lawns in North Carolina, the recommended time to aerate lawns is in the fall. Here, our team at R & T Lawn Services, Inc. explains why.

Ideal Timing for Seeding

Fall is the best time for renovation and seeding of cool-season lawns. Temperatures are currently above normal for early September, but history suggests that the weather will moderate within the next few weeks. Remember that spring-established tall fescue is more susceptible to drought, heat, fungal diseases, and weed encroachment. With normal summer weather patterns, spring seeding is not likely to result in a year-long stand of healthy tall fescue.

Before seeding, core aerification is recommended to reduce compacted areas. Getting good soil-to-seed contact is paramount to maximize available soil moisture. A typical tall fescue seeding rate is 5 to 6 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. Germination will normally be in 7 to 14 days with soil moisture and suitable soil temperatures. Since seeds and seedlings may be damaged by some herbicide applications, fall-seeded cool-season grasses should not have any herbicides applied until it is extensively tillered. Read more here.

To professionally seed and aerate lawns in the Lincoln County, NC, area, choose R & T Lawn Services, Inc. We’re committed to using strategic solutions that improve the health and beauty of your lawn and result in a green, virtually weed-free environment. After aeration season, we’ll begin to review all customer plans and send out new and updated quotes for 2019. Please be on the lookout for them, look them over, and let us know if you have any question or concerns or if you are good to go for 2019. We look forward to hearing back from you! You can reach us at (704) 589-0713 or send a message online.