What is Aeration and do you need it done?
What is Aeration and do you need it done?
What is Aeration?
Aeration perforates the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more luscious lawn.
Does your Property need aerating? The answer is yes if any of these situations apply to your lawn.
- Gets heavy use, such as serving as the neighborhood sidewalk as well as children and pets playing contribute to soil compaction.
Was established as part of a newly constructed home and is not doing well. Soil underneath the sod may be compacted from construction equipment or may not be 100% top soil anymore due to traffic.
Dries out easily and has a spongy feel. This might mean your lawn has an excessive thatch problem. Take a shovel and remove a slice of lawn about four inches deep. If the thatch layer is greater than one-half inch, aeration is recommended.
Was established by sod, and soil layering exists. Soil layering means that soil of finer texture, which comes with sod, is layered over the existing perhaps compacted coarser soil. This layering disrupts drainage, as water is held in the finer-textured soil. This leads to compacted conditions and poor root development. Aerating breaks up the layering, allowing water to flow through the soil more easily and reach the roots.
When should you aerate?
The best time to aerate is in the spring when the everything starts to grow again and fill in the holes that the plugs from the aerator has removed and you will also be able to see the results of the aerating later that year instead of waiting until next year. Also, unlike power raking, aerating may be done as a regular maintenance to your lawn.