Do you have a lawn that looks thin and patchy? Are you looking for an easy and effective solution to thicken it up? Liquid aeration and overseeding are two techniques that can help you thicken your lawn and make it look lush and green. Read on to find out how you can use these techniques to thicken up your lawn.
Liquid Aeration
This is an application of liquid products. The liquid aeration has a high nitrogen content which helps to promote root growth and strengthen your lawn’s roots. The nitrogen helps to break up compacted soil, allowing air and water to reach the roots of your lawn. This process also helps to loosen up the soil, allowing for better root growth and thicker turf.
Soil Structure
There are organic components in the liquid aeration product that act as soil penetrants and surfactants. These allow the break up of compacted soil which helps with the flow of water and air better. This will also help improve the growth of the roots as well as the absorption of nutrients. This will help lead to healthier grass.
Less Disruptions
When using a mechanical or core aeration you will see plugs or holes in the lawn. When doing an aeration with liquid this is virtually invisible. You don’t have to worry about the messy plugs all over your lawn. You typically only need to wait an hour for the product to dry and you can use your lawn like normal, almost immediately after the application.
Microbial Activity
Liquid aeration has added benefits that a core aeration does not. By applying liquid aeration to your lawn you are promoting the growth of soil microbes, which are extremely beneficial. These will help with breaking down the thatch layer in the lawn and improve the soil quality.
Cost-Friendly
Liquid aeration is often more affordable than mechanical aeration. It requires fewer resources and labor, making it a budget-friendly option for lawn care enthusiasts.
Applied Year-Round
Typically, mechanical aeration is only performed in spring or fall but with a liquid aeration, you are able to apply this throughout the year. Depending on your climate, of course. If you start to experience soil compaction, this allows you the opportunity to address that at any time throughout the season.
Overseeding
This is an effective way to thicken your lawn. This involves spreading grass seed over the existing lawn. The new grass seeds will germinate and spread, creating a thicker lawn. For best results, it’s a good idea to use a spreader to ensure the grass seed is evenly distributed. You should also make sure to choose grass seed that is suitable for your climate and soil type.
Thickened Grass
Throughout the life of your lawn you may see thin areas develop. This can be due to normal wear and tear in the lawn, disease or other things that may be causing stress to the lawn. By doing an overseed through the lawn, you can begin to fill in thin/sparse areas and create a thicker lawn. By having a thicker lawn, you always have more resilient turf.
Aesthetic
Having a lush thick lawn is visually more appealing then a thin bare lawn. Overseed can help change the lawn from patchy and boring to a vibrant carpet of green.
Resistance to Weeds
By having thicker healthier grass, you help eliminate weeds. When the lawn is thin or sparse, there is more room for weeds to grow and take root. Using overseeding can help choke out any unwanted weeds. This will also result in reducing the needs for herbicides.
Disease Resistance
There are several types of grass that are more resistant to the more common lawn diseases. By introducing these new types of grass into the lawn, you are helping the lawn to build a resistance to some diseases. This is helpful in protecting the overall health of the lawn.
Drought Tolerance
For areas that experience water restrictions, there are types of grass that are more drought tolerant than others. These types of seed would be ideal for areas that have trouble watering.
Watering
Proper watering is essential for the success of both liquid aeration and overseeding. Here are some guidelines to ensure your lawn thrives:
Watering Before
For greater benefits of the liquid aeration and overseeding, you may consider watering your lawn. Although this is not necessary, this can help the product penetrate through the lawn easier.
Watering After
After liquid aeration and overseeding, you will want to be sure to keep the soil consistently moist. When doing this, you want to be careful not to overwater or waterlog the lawn. It’s important to keep watering light but frequently, aim for ¼ to ½ of water every few days. This is also all dependent on your climate and soil type.
Morning Watering
Watering in the morning allows the grass to dry before evening, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. It also ensures maximum water absorption by the grass.
Soil Moisture
You may want to use a soil moisture meter to help know the moisture level more accurately. If you notice that the lawn is being under or over watered, you will want to adjust your watering schedule.
Gradual Transition
As you see the new seed start to germinate and grow, you will want to gradually cut back on watering frequency. This will help allow and encourage deeper root growth and will reduce the dependence on frequent water.
Preparing Your Lawn for Liquid Aeration and Overseeding
Now that you understand the benefits of liquid aeration and overseeding and the importance of proper watering, let’s discuss how to prepare your lawn for these treatments:
Mowing
Before applying the liquid aeration overseed throughout the lawn, you may want to ensure the lawn is mowed at around 2 inches. This will help the product and seed make better contact with the soil.
Remove Debris
Be sure there is no debris in your lawn. Walk your lawn and make sure there isn’t a build up of leaves, sticks, toys or objects in the way. This will help ensure the effectiveness of the application.
Choose the Right Seed
For the best results, make sure you are using a high quality seed. You also want to be sure that you are using a type of seed that is suitable for your region and matches with your existing lawn. You also have the ability to use a mixture of seeds that are both disease-resistant and drought-tolerant.
Liquid Aeration Application
Most liquid aeration products come with instructions and you want to be sure to follow the instructions for best results. In most cases, you will mix the concentrate with water and then spray this evenly across the lawn. You will then use a broadcast spreader to make sure the seeds are evenly distributed throughout the lawn.
Watering Schedule
As mentioned earlier, ensure you have a consistent watering schedule in place to keep the soil moist after application.
Monitor and Maintain
You will want to be patient with this process. The grass seed may take several weeks for the seed to germinate and establish itself. Make sure you continue on your regular maintenance of the lawn, mowing, fertilizing and watering to promote a healthy lawn.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can thicken up your lawn and make it look lush and green. Liquid aeration and overseeding are effective techniques for thickening your lawn and ensuring that it grows thick and healthy. Make sure to take proper care of your lawn and follow these steps for the best results.
Erbert Lawns offers liquid aeration with overseed in the fall. Please call or text us if you would like more information, 303-948-6631
Kelsey Keller
Business Manager
With six years of experience in lawn care, Kelsey Keller has learned the
many facets of what it takes to make lawn green and weed free. She pays close attention to
what customers need and what will make their lawn happy. She continues to learn and discover
what the turfs in Colorado need to be able to thrive.
