Have you ever asked yourself what are the benefits of lawn aeration? People always have the aeration in the fall. This preparation helps strengthen the lawn. As a result, the lawn will grow evenly despite how bad the climate is.
Moreover, the aeration also helps remove the thatch and improve the quality of the soil. Is that reason enough to convince you? If not, let’s go into detail. Doing lawn aeration may take time and money. However, you can get huge benefits.
What is lawn aeration?
Aeration is a task that entails the creation of holes along the lawn surface. These holes are usually twelve per square foot of the yard, and they are made to allow and promote deeper growth of roots. Aeration is also done to minimize the process of soil compaction and to allow the free flow of water, air, and nutrients directly to the root system.
As a result, the grass blades become thicker, as they gain more nourishment from the roots that are already spreading deeper in the surrounding soil. The holes that are dug during the aeration process will fill with water, which is poured to the ground before the process begins. This water is expected to soften up the compacted soil. This water is also meant to create room in clay soil and expand so it can breathe easily.
What are the benefits of lawn aeration?
As hinted above, this process is beneficial to the growing turf. As it reduces soil compaction, aeration allows free circulation of water, air, and nutrients. Instead of flooding over the surface of the soil, water will begin entering the holes and then it will be easily absorbed by the roots.
As roots will absorb enough of everything, the grass will withstand the drought effects much more easily. Aeration of soil reduces the amount of thatch created during winter and you will have an easy time in spring.
Now, it’s time to go detailedly to each benefit:
1. Give the grass a better environment
In general, having aeration in the fall helps the turf be healthier. This helps grassroots to access the water better. Moreover, the roots can receive more nutrients from the fertilizer. Grassroots grow longer, deeper, and wider. And so, the lawn is protected from normal environmental impact.
2. Reduce the thatch
The dead grass stays on the ground, then becomes a thick layer of thatch. The thatch prevents water and nutrients from coming to the soil. The soil nutrient is getting poorer day by day.
Using the lawn aeration to reduce the thatch build-up is necessary. Doing the aeration helps push the decomposing microorganisms to the top layer. Thanks to this, the cut grass is dissolved.
3. Reduce the soil compact
If the soil is compacted, grass can’t grow healthy. The reason is that the root is difficult to absorb the air, water, and fertilizer. The compacted soil postponed the nutrient flow to run. The ground has some dead spots as well.
4. Improve the pH
There is a tip to enhance the fertility of the soil by distributing the lime or sulfur after aeration. Aeration helps sulfur go to the deep layer of soil and the nutrient as well. If pH isn’t at a proper level, the soil will keep the nutrients in the top layer. As a result, nutrients can’t come to the nutrient zone.
5. Stimulate the growth of the seed
The aeration helps push the fertile soil to the top level. This good-quality soil will be the best place for germination. The aeration also enhances the moisture and the compact. Overall, you give the seed a perfect environment to grow.
6. Enhance the water usage
After the rain, there will be water runoff and puddling. The aeration improves water usage. This makes sure that the grass-root won’t die because of redundant water.
7. Protect the grass from the season change
In the time of season change, the grass seems vulnerable. The grass needs some maintenance to reduce the effects on the environment.
FAQs
1. What activity can do at the same time lawn aeration?
Lawn aeration is done at the same time as the activities such as fertilization and overseeding. However, the best time to carry out these two activities is as soon as you are done with the aeration task. Overseeding your lawn is all about sowing new seeds in the areas of your lawn that have dried grass. Fertilization is about feeding your turf with the correct fertilizer and the right amount of it.
2. What is the best season to aerate a lawn?
The best time to aerate is in spring or early fall. So in other words you should aerate anytime in March until June or late September to the end of October. But we have to warn you that the perfect aeration period will vary from place to place. If you find that your soil is so soft and hard-looking compacted, this is not the best time to aerate. The perfect moment is when the soil is looking so hard and compacted. You will do first water the soil for a whole hour and then dig the holes with your aerator.
3. What can be used for lawn aeration?
This special process is done with different types of aerators. Having one of these is fine though. They usually include plug aerators, liquid aerators, towable aerators, rolling aerators, hand aerators, and spike aerators.
4. How often to aerate a lawn?
According to experts, most lawn owners aerate only once annually and others ignore the process for two to three years. It is not wise to wait this long since this would create the problem of soil compaction. The grassroots would also grow at the surface rather than run deeper into the surrounding soil, which would lead to poor absorption of water and nutrients.
The best interval is once or twice a year. If you have pets and kids that love to play in the yard, then you should aerate two times every year. The same is the case if you have a sloppy lawn. If your lawn is yet to be established and has poor soil, experts’ view is that you should aerate once per year for five consistent years. Note that the more frequently you aerate your lawn the much better plugs it will generate.
Final thoughts
The benefits of lawn aeration are diverse. This maintenance helps the lawn grow better in the dry seasons. The professional gardener recommends that you should do the aerator regularly. Don’t forget to water the lawn after the aerator. Let’s add this to your maintenance process.