It takes more than just weekly mowing to keep a Redwood City lawn in good condition. As you surely already know, different duties must be performed at different periods of the year to keep the lawn of your rental property looking neat and green. Aerating and overseeding the lawn are the two most essential fall lawn maintenance procedures. Baffled? Why is fall the best time to get your grass ready for a thriving growth season? Find out in the following paragraphs!
Why Not Spring?
Most people mistakenly believe that there isn’t much lawn maintenance to be done until spring. However, waiting until spring to prepare your yard for the growing season could be detrimental. In the spring, the soil is typically chilly and dense with latent weed seeds. This soil can become even more weed-infested after aeration, suffocating newly-emerging grasses in the process. In addition, young grass plants that haven’t had time to form deep root systems may perish if the summer heat arrives too early.
Why Fall is Best
But the ground is warmer in the fall, and there are fewer weed seeds. Annual weeds that are there are normally dying at this time of year, so your new grass has little competition to develop. Aerating works best under these circumstances since it can be done without encouraging additional weed growth. It also permits newly overseeded grasses to establish deep roots before the onset of winter’s lower temperatures.
Won’t Cold Temperature Kill the Grass?
Many homeowners are concerned about the impact of cold or freezing temperatures on their new grass. But there is no need to be alarmed! Fall overseeding allows the grass to establish robust roots before the onset of winter. The fresh grass will be able to withstand the winter and continue to thrive come April.
The Benefits of Aeration
If you are wondering if it is worth the time and cost to aerate your rental property’s lawn, the answer is definitely yes. Aeration improves soil health by reducing compaction and facilitating the penetration of water, air, and nutrients into the root zone. This can result in thicker, healthier grass growth. It also improves drainage, lessens thatch buildup, and promotes a more robust root system,
Seeding or overseeding a lawn can be much more effective if aerating is used. This is the case because the holes created by aeration allow the new grass seeds to join with the soil and more easily produce roots. The final result is a lawn that any Redwood City property manager would be proud to have because it is thicker and lusher.
Pro Tips to Aerate and Overseed a Healthy Lawn
A mechanical or hand aerator from your neighborhood hardware shop can be used to aerate the lawn on your rental property. Both types of aerators will extract small soil plugs from the lawn. However, even when utilizing a motorized aerator, the task can be time-consuming and physically demanding. Due to this, a lot of people choose to hire a specialist to complete this task.
You should aerate the entire lawn and make several passes in various directions to ensure even coverage. This will guarantee that the lawn has been adequately aerated and is prepared for seeding.
Pick a grass seed blend appropriate for your climate and lawn conditions when seeding or overseeding. Consult a professional in lawn care before purchasing grass, as the type of grass you choose is crucial. Spread the seed evenly across the lawn, and ensure that the soil remains moist so that new seedlings can sprout.
By caring for it in the fall, you can prepare your lawn for a lush and healthy growing season the following year. Furthermore, a healthy lawn is the single best thing for luring tenants and sustaining high property values. However, if lawn care is not at the top of your priority list for property maintenance, you should consider hiring professionals to do it for you.
At Real Property Management Mid Peninsula, 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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