Yes, your lawn can be irrigated with an irrigation system. Special care must be taken to avoid the irrigation heads. We request clients mark the irrigation heads with flags that can be purchased at any home center like Lowes or The Home Depot. Also, be familiar with the depth of your irrigation lines. Below are steps to ensure a safe aeration.
Mow the Lawn: Before aerating, mow your lawn to a slightly lower height than usual (approximately 2.5”). This will make it easier for the aerator to penetrate the soil effectively.
Mark Irrigation Components: If there are any hidden irrigation components with lawn flags, such as buried pipes or sprinkler heads, make sure to mark their locations to avoid damage during aeration.
Water the Lawn: If your soil is dry, water the lawn for 5-7 minutes a day for the two days before the aeration. This will help the aeration equipment pull a deeper plug from your lawn.
Clear the Lawn: Remove any obstacles, such as toys, debris, lawn furniture, pet waste and lawn decorations, from the lawn before the aeration process begins.
Turn Off the Irrigation System: On the day of aeration, ensure that the irrigation system is turned off. This will prevent excess water on the lawn which will contribute to muddy driveways and sidewalks.
Adjust your irrigation System: After fall overseeding, it is recommended that you keep the soil and seed moist at all times until germination has occurred. Typically, this means adjusting your irrigation system to water for 5-7 minutes in the morning and 5-7 minutes in the afternoon for 21-30 days. Once the new seed has grown to 2-3”, the watering schedule can be reduced to once per day or once every other day until the temperatures dictate that the system be winterized.
If you have any questions, we are always here to help. Shoot us an email at sales@sorensenoutdoor.com or give us a call at 540-845-6203.