1. Aerate
- What happens
- A core aerator pulls small plugs of soil out of the lawn.
- Why it helps
- It relieves compaction so air, water and nutrients reach the roots.
Core aeration and overseeding for cool-season lawns in Wilmington, Newark, Hockessin and Middletown. Early fall is the main window, and it is open now.
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Updated October 2026
Early fall is the main window for Delaware lawns. Soil is still warm, nights are cooler and fall rain helps new seed sprout, with less weed pressure than in spring. Spring is a secondary window for thin spots.
The common grasses here are cool-season types: tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. They recover best when seeded between late August and October.
Both methods make holes. Only one removes soil.
Removes plugs of soil, relieves compaction and gives seed a place to land.
Pokes holes without removing soil. It can add to compaction in dense soil.
Core aeration suits most Delaware lawns, especially clay soils.
Lawn size, slope and access, seed type, and whether you add fertilizer.
Prefer to hand off the rest of the year? See lawn care and mowing and lawn fertilization and weed control.
“We were surprised at how quickly the seeded area grew grass. We would definitely hire them again.”
Early fall is the main window for cool-season lawns in northern Delaware, roughly late August through September and into October, while soil is warm and fall rain helps seed sprout. Spring is a secondary window, but crabgrass competition makes it harder. If you missed the fall window, plan for next September.
Core aeration pulls small plugs of soil out of the lawn, which relieves compaction and lets air, water and nutrients reach roots. Spike aeration pokes holes without removing soil and can add to compaction in dense soil. Core aeration is the method we recommend for most Delaware lawns.
Not always. Overseed when turf looks thin, after bare patches, or after summer stress. Many lawns benefit from overseeding every year or two, usually right after core aeration, because seed lands in the holes and contacts soil. We look at the lawn before recommending seed.
Keep the seeded area moist, with light watering once or twice a day until seedlings emerge, then taper off. Hold off on mowing until new grass reaches mowing height, and then cut high. Avoid weed killers on new seed. Leave the soil plugs on the lawn, since they break down in a couple of weeks.
Cool-season grasses suit northern Delaware, mainly tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, often in blends. The right blend depends on sun, shade, traffic and your existing turf. We match seed to your yard when we write the estimate, so you do not have to pick a blend yourself. Tell us about sun, shade, pets and traffic on the quote form.
Seasonal rounds that feed turf.
See the Program
Weekly and bi-weekly mowing.
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All our lawn treatments.
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Leaf removal and fall cleanup.
See CleanupsWe work in Wilmington, Newark, Hockessin, Middletown and Greenville, plus nearby New Castle County neighborhoods.
Tell us about your property and we’ll get back to you with a plan and a transparent estimate. No pressure, no obligation.
Tell us a little about your yard. We’ll reply within one business day.
🔒 Your info stays private. We never share contact details.
Our crews run out of 978 S Market St in Wilmington and serve homes, HOAs and businesses across northern Delaware.
Green Acres has cared for lawns and properties around Wilmington since 1998. We offer all-inclusive landscape maintenance packages so you can be sure your property is looking its best all year long!
Using our years of creative experience to achieve beauty is what sets us apart. Landscape material that is healthy, well-branched, and well-formed is used to create the best first impression.