The maintenance of a healthy South End lawn takes more than weekly mowing. As you likely already know, certain tasks must be completed at specific times of the year to keep the lawn of your rental property tidy and green. The two most crucial lawn maintenance tasks for the fall are overseeding and aerating your lawn. Astounded? Continue reading to discover why autumn is the best time to prepare your grass for a healthy growing season!
Why Not Spring?
In terms of lawn maintenance, the majority of individuals believe there is little to do until spring. But delaying until spring to cultivate your lawn for the growing season may result in more harm than good. Springtime soil is typically chilly and full of dormant weed seeds. This soil might become even weedier after aeration, which can smother newly emerged grasses. In addition, if the summer heat hits too early, it might harm immature grass plants that have not yet developed strong roots.
Why Fall is Best
The fall season, however, means warmer soil and a lot fewer weed seeds. There is minimal competition for your new grass to thrive at this time of year because most annual weeds are dying. Aerating is most efficient in these circumstances since it may be carried out without promoting additional weed growth. Additionally, it gives newly overseeded grasses time to develop deep roots before the onset of the colder winter months.
Won’t Cold Temperature Kill the Grass?
Many homeowners worry about how cold or freezing conditions would affect their new lawns. But there is no cause for concern! Fall overseeding enables the grass to develop sturdy roots before the arrival of winter. The fresh grass will be able to withstand the winter and continue to thrive come April.
The Benefits of Aeration
Yes is the answer if you are wondering if aerating your rental property’s lawn is worth the expense and time. Aeration reduces compaction and allows water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the root zone more easily and therefore improves the health of your soil. Thicker and better turf growth may result from this. It also promotes a stronger root system, improves drainage, and reduces thatch buildup.
Aerating can also make seeding or overseeding grass much more effective. This happens because the holes created by aeration cause the new grass seeds to meet with soil and establish roots more easily. The result is a lusher and thicker lawn that any South End property manager would be proud of.
Pro Tips to Aerate and Overseed a Healthy Lawn
To aerate the lawn of your rental property, you can purchase a mechanical or manual aerator from your local hardware store. The lawn will have small soil plugs removed by both varieties of aerators. However, even when using a motorized aerator, the process can still be laborious and physically taxing. For this reason, many people choose to hire a professional for this task.
As you aerate, cover the entire lawn with multiple passes in varying directions to ensure uniform coverage. By doing this, you can be sure the lawn has been adequately aerated and is prepared to receive seed.
Choose a grass seed mixture suited to your climate and lawn conditions when it comes to seeding or overseeding. Before purchasing grass, you may wish to consult with a professional in lawn care about the type of grass you should purchase. Spread the seed evenly across the lawn, and make sure to water frequently to keep the soil damp so that new seedlings can emerge.
You can prepare your lawn for a lush and healthy growing season the following year by taking care of it in the fall. Furthermore, a healthy lawn is the single best thing for luring tenants and sustaining high property values. However, if lawn care isn’t exactly at the top of your property maintenance list, think about hiring experts to take care of it for you.
At Real Property Management Commonwealth, we offer comprehensive property maintenance services that can keep all parts of your investment property looking great. Contact us online today to learn more.
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