Late August through mid-October is our transition zone’s ideal time for fall lawn rejuvenation. Wait until after a rain to core-aerate or verti-slice the cool season turf grass areas. This way, the soil is soft enough for the machine to penetrate 1/2″ to 1″ deep for the seed prep work. Soil-to-seed contact is the name of the game. Seeds are shaped like footballs, and chances of germination are slim, lying on top of hard ground. Even existing lawns benefit from core aeration.
Last year, Dr. Turner, the turf expert, spoke on this topic at the State of Maryland Dept of Agriculture Re-Certification class. He indicated that in the past, we often regarded core aeration as a turf grass “upsell” program. The University of MD turf grass test plots showed increased resistance to fungal pathogens where the grass had been core-aerated. So, in addition to thicker turf, more weed control, less erosion, and less compaction, core-aerating and overseeding increase fungal resistance. In our mid-Atlantic transition zone, overseeding with turf-type tall fescue is recommended.
Fertilization should be done during the fall lawn rejuvenation process once every 30 days at a rate of 1/3 to 1/2lb of N per 1000 square feet, per recent MD State recommendations. Turf benefits from multiple feedings in the fall because you are feeding additional new grass plant tillers that the plant has put out to capture more light. With long days in the spring, the turf produces vertical shoot growth. Feeding at his time creates excessive vertical leaf blade growth and necessitates more lawn cutting. No weed control materials should be applied now; wait until November or the spring.
To learn more about how to rejuvenate a lawn.
About the Author: Wade Pryor is a professional botanist and the founder of Pryor’s Nursery . Since 1981, he has installed over 82,000 evergreen trees, specializing in “Living Fence” privacy screens across the Mid-Atlantic region. Learn more about Wade’s expertise here.
