What the job covers
Core aeration pulls small plugs of soil out of the lawn. That lets air and water reach the roots. It helps on clay ground, which is heavy in the Piedmont and is often compacted around newer homes.
Overseeding spreads new seed over an existing lawn to thicken thin patches. For a tall fescue lawn, the two are usually done together in the fall.
Some providers also feed the lawn at the same time. Ask what the quote includes.
When to do it here
It depends on your grass. These timings are from UGA's lawn calendars.
Tall fescue
- Overseed in the fall. October is the best month, and September and November work too. UGA's turf specialists say overseeding can run until about mid-November. Later than that, UGA advises waiting until mid-February.
- Core aeration is best in March, April or October.
- Don't use a pre-emergent weed killer within three to four months of seeding. It stops the new seed coming up too.
Bermuda and zoysia
- Aerate while the grass is growing: best from May to August, and possible in April and September.
More detail is in our guide, when to aerate and overseed fescue.
What changes the price
- The size of the lawn.
- How much seed it needs: a thin lawn takes more than a patchy one.
- Slope and access for the aerating machine.
- Prep work, such as mowing short or clearing leaves first.
- Extras such as feeding.
The provider quotes after seeing the lawn.
What to expect
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Tell us about the lawn
Its size and what's wrong with it: thin, patchy or hard ground.
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A local provider gets in touch
To look at the lawn and agree a date in the right window for your grass.
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Aeration and seed
The lawn is aerated, then seeded if it needs it.
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Watering
New seed needs regular watering. Georgia allows it at any hour for 30 days after seeding.
