Core aeration & overseeding
The best thing you can do for a thin, tired lawn, and fall is the time to do it.
Why aerate and overseed
Lawns here are mostly cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass and fescue, growing on heavy clay that packs down over time. Core aeration pulls plugs of soil so air, water and nutrients reach the roots. Overseeding right after puts seed straight into those holes, where it takes best.
- Core aeration across the whole lawn (plugs are left to break down)
- Overseeding with a seed blend matched to your sun and shade
- Starter fertilizer, applied by a licensed Illinois applicator
- A simple watering plan that fits your village’s sprinkling rules
- Best paired with a fall cleanup
Watering new seed, town by town
- Glencoe offers a temporary sprinkling permit for new seed or sod, and Itasca makes exceptions for new seeding.
- Wilmette, Highland Park and Rosemont ban sprinkling from noon to 6 PM in summer and use odd/even days.
- Schaumburg allows sprinkling only between 5 PM and 11 AM.
- We’ll tell you exactly what applies at your address.
When to book
The best window is late August through early October, when the soil is still warm and the air is cool. The fall window closes by mid-October in most years.
Common questions
How long do I need to water?
Keep the seedbed moist for the first two to three weeks, usually light watering once or twice a day, then back off as the grass fills in.
When can I mow the new grass?
Once the new grass is about 3 inches tall, usually two to three weeks after seeding. Keep the mower blade high for the first few cuts.
Should leaves be cleared first?
Yes. Seed needs contact with the soil, so we clear leaves before aerating.
Serving Des Plaines, the North Shore and the northwest suburbs. See all 22 towns.
Get on the schedule
Owner on every job. Written, itemized proposal. No pressure.