Aeration and Overseeding.
Thin lawn, fixed in the fall.

Lawn Aeration and Overseeding

Core aeration and overseeding in Bernardsville, Basking Ridge and Mendham

Rutgers puts the northern New Jersey seeding window at August 15 to October 5. Seed put down outside it mostly does not take. That is the whole reason this page exists.

Lawns around here sit on heavy soil that gets walked on, mowed on and rained on until it packs down like a driveway. Roots cannot push through it, water runs off instead of soaking in, and grass slowly gives up. Every year the lawn is a little thinner and the weeds find a little more room.

Core aeration pulls thousands of finger sized plugs out of the lawn and leaves them on top to break down. The holes let air, water and seed reach the roots. Overseeding right behind the aerator drops seed into those holes, where it is in contact with soil instead of sitting on top of thatch. That combination is how a thin lawn becomes a thick one, and it is why we never seed without aerating first.

What aeration and overseeding includes

• Core aeration across the whole lawn, plugs left to break down
• Overseeding immediately behind the aerator so seed reaches soil
• Seed blend chosen for your yard, sun, shade and slope
• Starter feeding for the new grass
• Watering schedule texted to you the day of the job

Why fall, and why that specific window

Grass seed needs warm soil and cool air. In late summer the soil is still warm from July, the nights are cooling off, and the crabgrass that would smother a spring seeding is dying. Rutgers Cooperative Extension fact sheet FS584 puts the northern New Jersey window at August 15 to October 5. Seed put down in late October sits on cold ground and mostly rots or waits until spring, when it has to compete with weeds. Spring seeding can work, but it is the second best option, and we will tell you that rather than sell you a spring job that fights the calendar.

The seed matters

The blend depends on the lawn. Sun, shade under the oaks, a slope that dries out, a low spot that stays wet. We look at the property before picking the seed, which is the reason a quote never comes before a visit. Cheap seed is mostly filler and annual rye that dies in the first winter. The blends we use are turf type tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass mixes built for this climate.

What to do after

Water. Lightly and often for the first two weeks, then deeper and less often. Stay off it where you can. Do not bag the first few mowings. We send you the watering schedule by text on the day of the job. Pair it with the fall feeding and winterizer and the new grass goes into winter with roots, which is what makes it look good in March.

Aeration and overseeding are sold on their own, see all the lawn services. If the lawn has never been tested, a soil test before seeding tells us whether the pH will let the new grass grow at all.