Lawn Care
Aeration and Overseeding in Metro Detroit
The fix for hard clay soil and thin turf — pull cores, drop seed, let fall do the work.
Most of southeast Michigan sits on heavy clay. Add a few years of foot traffic, mower weight, and winter compaction and the top few inches of soil get dense enough that water runs off instead of soaking in and roots stop going down. That lawn will not respond to fertilizer, because the problem is not food, it is air and space.
Core aeration, not spikes
We pull actual soil cores. Spike aerators just punch holes and press the surrounding soil tighter, which makes compaction worse. Cores relieve pressure, open channels for water and oxygen, and give seed a protected place to land.
Why overseed at the same time
The open holes are the best seedbed you will get without tearing up the yard. Seed broadcast right after aeration falls into soil contact instead of sitting on thatch, so germination rates are dramatically better. We use quality cool-season blends suited to Michigan sun and shade conditions.
What to expect
The lawn looks rough for about a week — plugs everywhere, seed visible. By week three you see new blades filling the thin areas, and by the following spring the lawn is noticeably denser. Pair it with a fall fertilizer round and it is the highest-return service we sell.
This service is part of our lawn care service work across Metro Detroit. Bundle it with a regular route stop and you skip the trip charge.
Other Lawn Care Services
Lawn Mowing
Weekly and bi-weekly cuts with clean trim lines and blown-off walks.
Learn moreLawn Fertilization
Season-timed granular feedings built for Michigan cool-season turf.
Learn moreWeed Control
Pre-emergent in spring, spot treatments through the growing season.
Learn moreSpring & Fall Cleanup
Leaf hauling, bed clearing, and the reset your yard needs twice a year.
Learn moreCommon Questions
- When should I aerate my lawn in Michigan?
- Early fall, roughly late August through September. Soil is still warm, nights are cooling, and cool-season grass is in its strongest recovery window. Spring aeration is possible but it also opens the soil for crabgrass.
- Do the soil plugs need to be raked up?
- No. Leave them. They break down in a couple of weeks and return soil and microbes to the surface, which is part of the benefit.
- How often does a lawn need aeration?
- Once a year for the heavy clay soil common across Metro Detroit, or every other year for lighter soil with low traffic. Lawns over irrigation lines or with kids and dogs benefit from an annual pass.
- What do I do after overseeding?
- Water lightly and often — 10 to 15 minutes once or twice a day for two to three weeks — instead of one deep soak. Hold off on weed control until the new grass has been mowed three times.
Want a straight answer on price?
Send the address and what you need. Most quotes go out the same day, and there is no charge to ask.