Achieving that dream lawn takes dedication, and one essential practice in lawn care is aeration. Given the daily wear and tear from kids playing and pets running around, soil on your lawn can become compacted, leaving little room for growth. This compaction restricts the flow of nutrients to the roots, leading to unsightly brown patches. Aeration is the key to unlocking the full potential of your lawn.
Aeration is the process of inserting holes in the soil to allow water, oxygen, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the grass roots. This alleviates compacted soil conditions, providing roots the space they need to flourish. As the roots grow stronger, they become more effective at fending off weeds.
Additionally, aeration helps prevent thatch build-up. Thatch is the layer of organic matter between the grass and the soil. When it becomes too thick, it can block water and nutrients from reaching the roots, potentially fostering lawn diseases and insect infestations.
Timing is crucial for effective aeration. You want to aerate when the grass is actively growing to ensure it fills in the new holes. For cool-season grasses, the best time is early spring or fall. For warm-season grasses, aim for late spring or early summer. Ensure the soil is moist but not saturated; aerating dry soil can be an arduous task. Watering the lawn a day before or aerating after a rainfall is ideal.
While manual aeration with a pitch fork is possible for small lawns, using a machine is more efficient for larger areas. A good aeration machine will extract plugs of soil approximately 3 inches deep and half an inch in diameter without further compacting the soil. You may need to make several passes over heavily compacted areas. After aeration, let the soil plugs dry, then break them up by mowing over them or using a shovel or rake.
To maintain a healthy lawn, continue with regular lawn care practices including fertilizing, mowing, and watering.
Aerating your lawn can be a demanding task, but you don't have to do it alone. TaskEasy is here to help! Whether you're new to aeration or need a hand with lawn care, reach out to us to place an order for your service.