4.7.12

What aerating your lawn mean

By Peter Nash


Lawn aeration is done to improve the condition of the soil and promote the growth of the grass. Lawn aerating is done on areas where the soil gets compacted because of lots of foot traffic. Vehicle traffic or poorly drained soil can be the reason why the soil is compacted . Despite the heavy traffic on golf courses and on sports fields, the healthy growth of the grass is maintained because the soil is regularly aerated. To aerate the lawn, small soil plugs are removed using an aerator.

If the yard is quite small, aerating your lawn can be done by hand. However, aeration is commonly done with a mechanical aerator or with the use of lawn aerating organic product. The are two basic types of aerators - core aerators and spike aerators. A spike aerator has large spikes that are used to make holes on the ground. A core aerator draws out soil plugs by using a cylinder to create 3 to 4 inch holes in the ground. The soil plug is then pushed out of the cylinder and deposited in the lawn. Spike aerators are not as effective as punch core aerators if the lawn has high degree of compaction. Spike aerators are best used on sandy soil.

Is aerating the lawn really necessary? The holes that are usually made 3 to 6 inches apart and 5 to 6 inches deep will improve grass growth. Oxygen circulation on the soil is improved by aerating the lawn. Loosening the soil allows it to breathe. Aerated lawn will have healthy grass as the roots' growth is not controlled. Loose soil will readily absorb water and fertilizer. Loosened soil allows the roots to grow deeply to absorbed nutrients from the soil.

Worms have a significant role in making a lawn healthy. Worms are performing aeration jobs too. Worms' aeration tasks will be hampered by compacted soil. Aeration increases worm activity. Thatch is another problem of lawn owners. Pests and disease grow on this layer of organic and inorganic material under the soil. Thatch prevents nutrients from getting into the soil. Aerating your lawn will resolve thatch concerns.

Aerating your lawn is best done in the fall. Give the lawn a good drenching to make aeration easier. Lawns are not in their peak condition during the summer months because of the heat thus aeration is not advisable. It would take some time for the lawn to recover.




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