Benefits of Aerating Your Lawn

When doctoring your lawn, images of hooking up the sprinkler or spreading fertilizer on the ground instantly comes to mind. But there is another method, called aeration, which can provide a homeowner with a thick, full, professional-looking lawn that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

The simple science is this: lawns need to breathe. The ground becomes very compact as a result of walking, droughts, or excessive rains causing thatch buildup, which prevents vital nutrients from penetrating the soil to the root growth. Aeration is a means of inserting holes into the ground and removing plugs of dirt, thereby allowing nutrients, water, oxygen, and fertilizer to get down into the root system as well as freeing up space for the roots themselves to grow. This in turn makes for healthier grass, and plants and trees capable of withstanding the elements. It prevents excessive run off because the water is actually soaking into the ground rather than sitting on top.

What are some signs of a "sick" lawn? The grasses will have difficulty growing and may appear yellow or brown with thin, weak stalks. The result is thinner grass. You may see bald spots. If your thatch (think of it as grass undergrowth) is more than one-half inch thick, it may impede growth. Also, if you've undergone any type of construction which left large deposits of dirt throughout the yard at any point during the year, aeration is a good idea. The fertile topsoil may have been removed leaving behind the harder, more compact clay.

Find out if your grass is cool-season, or warm season. Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass are examples of cool season grasses, and can be aerated either in the spring between March and May, or in the fall between August and November. Bermuda grass and zoysia grass should be aerated any time mid-spring through the summer.
Remember, aeration not only helps grass to grow, it'll help those pesky weeds as well. Apply any herbicide after the aeration process for maximum benefit.

So how does one aerate a lawn? A manual aerator is preferred for smaller yards, but if you have a lot of space to cover you may want to use a power driven aerator. Water the lawn thoroughly the day before, then have at it! Don't bother picking up the plugs, they'll break down on their own. Avoid mowing for two to three weeks, depending on how quickly your grass grows.

Talk with an expert about the type of grass and soil you're up against, and have them demonstrate how to use the machines properly. Remember, this is an annual thing. This isn't a quick-fix for any lawn, but a gradual process. If you have further questions, try the link below, which includes a map of lawn services in your area. Feel free to enter any tips in the comments section below the article.

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