Posts Tagged Aeration

September Lawn Recovery: Repairing Summer Damage for a Greener Fall

September 16, 2025 - Comments Off on September Lawn Recovery: Repairing Summer Damage for a Greener Fall by - Fall, Fertilizer, Landscape Maintenance, Professional Garden Landscaping

man using a push cart to spread grass seed
After a long, hot summer, many lawns show signs of stress—thin patches, brown spots, and weeds that seem to pop up overnight. September is the perfect time to revive your turf and set the stage for a lush, healthy lawn that thrives through fall and returns strong next spring. With the right recovery strategies, you can repair summer damage and enjoy a greener, more resilient yard.

1. Aerate Your Lawn to Relieve Compaction

Heavy foot traffic, summer heat, and drought can all lead to compacted soil. Compaction makes it difficult for water, air, and nutrients to reach grass roots. Core aeration—removing small plugs of soil from the lawn—opens up the ground, allowing roots to breathe and absorb what they need to recover. You can rent an aerator or hire a professional for best results.

2. Overseed Thin or Bare Areas

Overseeding is the process of spreading grass seed over existing turf to fill in thin spots and improve density. September’s cooler temperatures and increased moisture make it ideal for seed germination. Choose a grass variety suited to your region and lawn type for the best results. After aerating, overseed immediately, then lightly rake and water well to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.

3. Feed Your Lawn for Recovery

A slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer applied in early fall gives grass the nutrients it needs to bounce back from summer stress and build strong roots for winter. Follow product instructions carefully, and avoid over-fertilizing, which can burn grass and encourage disease.

4. Address Weeds and Thatch

Weeds often take advantage of weakened lawns. Spot-treat problem areas with a selective herbicide or hand-pull weeds to reduce competition for water and nutrients. If your lawn has a thick layer of thatch (more than half an inch), dethatching may be necessary. Thatch can block water and fertilizer from reaching the soil, so removing it allows your lawn to recover more effectively.

5. Water Consistently During Recovery

New seed and recovering grass need consistent moisture to thrive. Water deeply and regularly for the first few weeks after overseeding and fertilizing—usually about 2–3 times per week, depending on weather. Early morning is the best time to water, as it helps prevent disease and maximizes absorption.

6. Maintain Good Lawn Practices

Continue to mow at a higher setting (about 3 inches) and keep mower blades sharp to reduce stress on new and recovering grass. Avoid heavy foot traffic on newly seeded areas until the grass is well established.

Trust the Experts for Lasting Results

September recovery efforts can make a dramatic difference in your lawn’s health and appearance. If you’re not sure where to start or want professional results, DK Landscaping offers comprehensive lawn recovery services—from aeration and overseeding to fertilization and weed control. Let us help you restore your lawn to its full, green potential this fall.

Lawn Tricks and Treats for Winter Survival

September 20, 2014 - Comments Off on Lawn Tricks and Treats for Winter Survival by - Fall

 

When you think lawn care, spring may be the first thing that comes to mind, but the fact is back-to-school is perhaps an even better time to treat your lawn to some TLC.

October is no trick when it comes to setting up your lawn for better survival over the winter. And the treat, if done correctly, means a greener and healthier lawn next Spring for any lawn treatment done in October. Lawn care treatments are best done before soil temperatures drop to a level where your lawn is going into hibernation. are of particular. And seeding and fertilizations of any kind are more sensitive to warmer soils for maximum results in the fall.  Here are some tips to follow for luscious lawn come spring:

Fertilizing
Natural and organic fertilizers also work best in warmer soils when micro-organisms are growing and can help breakdown the material into a useable form for your turf grass. By contrast, synthetic fertilizers are already in a more useable form and can be used later into the season as soils cool down. The cautionary note of using fertilizers too late in the season if theground is frozen or very cold means not really achieving any benefit to the lawn and the possibility of runoff into streams, rivers, and other undesirable areas.

Core Aeration and Lime
Over time your soil naturally becomes compacted and builds up acidity, leaving the subsoil undesirable for healthy lawn growth. Walking, playing, mowing and watering compacts the grass and reduce the air space necessary for root growth. Highly acidic soil will hinder the growth of a full, thriving lawn and will therefore promote weed growth. Combat compaction and aid in weed control with a core aeration and lime application.

Seeding
Seeding your lawn in early October can give you a beautiful, green lawn this winter. It is especially a smart option when facing a mixed stand lawn or patch stand of grasses. This will help hide and even the uniformity of the lawn. As the trees grow larger and produce more shade, the bermuda lawns start thinning out and the ryegrass can provide some much needed cover in those areas.

Winterizing
Remove piles of leaves on your lawn, especially on thin, shaded, or new grass areas, as they will act as mulch and damage your lawn. As the temperature drops and November approaches, you can actually drop your mowing height down to 2”. Your final cut in November should be 1.5” to help minimize winter damage.

And lastly…
Be patient. We all want the quick fix to a green and lush lawn, but it can take a couple seasons for a lawn to really take hold and fill in. If you are patient, you will be rewarded. Have questions? Email or call us, we at DK Landscaping will talk you through it!