Fresh Cut Pros Blog

Why You Might Not See Grass Seed After Overseeding One of the most common questions we get at Fresh Cut Pros is: “Where’s the seed? I don’t see any.” When we overseed lawns in Shorewood, Joliet, Plainfield, Minooka, and Channahon , we apply about 2–3 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet . That’s the correct application rate for premium blends of Kentucky bluegrass and turf-type tall fescue in the Chicago suburbs. It may not look like much to the naked eye, but it’s exactly what your lawn needs to grow thick and healthy. Why You Don’t See the Seed There are a few reasons you might not notice the seed after our visit: Small Size: Grass seed is tiny, and once it settles into aeration holes or soil crevices, it practically disappears. Proper Coverage: We spread it evenly, not in piles. A heavy hand may look impressive but usually causes poor germination. Topdressing or Soil Contact: When we add compost or topdressing, it covers seed so it’s protected and ready to germinate...

  Why Top Dressing Can Transform a Thin, Patchy Lawn   Top Dress in Action If you’ve been mowing your lawn every week, fertilizing on schedule, and still see thin or patchy areas, top dressing may be the missing piece. In the Chicago suburbs — Shorewood, Joliet, Plainfield, Minooka, and Channahon — clay soils and heavy mowing traffic make lawns prone to compaction and stress. That’s why we often recommend aeration, overseeding , and top dressing together in the fall.   What Is Top Dressing?     Top dressing is the process of spreading a thin layer of compost, soil, or a soil/compost mix across your lawn. It’s not meant to smother the grass, but rather to:   Improve soil structure and nutrient content   Help new seed germinate after overseeding   Smooth out uneven areas caused by foot traffic, mowing, or settling   Retain moisture to protect grass roots     When paired with aeration and fertilization, top dressing creates the perfect...

  Aeration vs. Dethatching: Which Does Your Lawn Actually Need? One of the most common questions we get in the Chicago suburbs is: “Do I need to aerate my lawn, or should I dethatch it?” Both services deal with improving turf health, but they’re not the same thing. And in most cases, core aeration is the right choice for lawns in Joliet, Shorewood, Plainfield, Minooka, and Channahon . What Is Dethatching? Thatch is a layer of dead stems, roots, and organic matter that builds up between your green grass and the soil. When it gets thicker than ½–1 inch, it can block water, nutrients, and air from reaching the roots. Dethatching uses a special rake or machine to tear that layer out. It can be helpful if your lawn truly has a thatch problem — but most residential lawns don’t. In fact, over-aggressive dethatching can stress your turf and leave bare spots. What Is Core Aeration? Core aeration uses a machine to pull small plugs (cores) from the soil. This relieves compact...