Planning for aeration and fertilization in the fall gives cool-season grasses enough of a buffer to protect the grass from summer drought stress and ideally enough time before the first winter frost arrives.
Late summer into fall is the perfect time to aerate your lawn because it allows the grass seed to germinate and establish a strong root system before cold temperatures set in.
The best results for lawn aeration are achieved through proper pre-service preparation and post-service care. In addition to a healthy, lush lawn, here are four things to expect from your TruGreen lawn aeration service:. Your lawn specialist will remove small plugs of turf, thatch and soil from your lawn. For cool season grasses, your lawn could also benefit from overseeding since aeration creates optimal conditions for seed development and growth.
You may begin to see new white roots and seedlings for overseeded lawns growing in the aerated holes. If your lawn is ready for an aeration service, get your custom quote here. You can also give our team a call at Need Help? On compacted soils and on lawns with slopes, you should see an immediate difference in water puddling and runoff after irrigation or rainfall.
After aeration, your lawn should be able to go longer between waterings, without showing signs of wilt. With repeat aerations over time, your lawn will show enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance. Remember, most lawns benefit from annual aeration. Compacted soils have reduced air spaces and more resistance to root growth than noncompacted soils. Compacted soils are dense and cause water to puddle and run off. Core Aeration: The mechanical removal of small plugs of soil and thatch from the lawn.
Dethatching: The process of removing the thatch layer from turf, the layer of dead and decaying plant tissue located between the soil surface and the green vegetation. This process is usually done mechanically with a dethatching unit or power rake. Power Rake : Turf equipment that mechanically removes thatch with rigid wire tines or steel blades, which slice through the turf and lift the thatch debris to the surface for removal. Thatch: The layer of dead and decaying plant tissue located between the soil surface and the green vegetation.
A thin layer of thatch is beneficial because it reduces soil compaction and it increases wear tolerance.
Thatch also makes an excellent breeding ground for harmful insects and disease organisms. Depending on your needs and location, find the most appropriate RYAN dealerships near you.
All Rights Reserved. Find A Ryan. Sod Cutters. Sod Cutter Jr. Sod Cutter — Hydro. Golf Course Management. Ultimately, aerating your lawn and allowing it to breathe benefits you. But, aerating also helps to protect your lawn against a lot of common problems due to compaction: drainage issues , bare patches , weeds , dryness , fungal disease , fairy ring ….
Perforation of the soil to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. Aeration helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn. The main reason for aerating is to alleviate soil compaction. Soil compaction limits the amount of nutrients and water to penetrate the roots of your lawn. A smaller area of lawn can be aerated manually with aerating sandals sandals with spikes that aerate the lawn as you walk or a sturdy garden fork. Simply insert the fork into the lawn and wriggle it back and forth to fracture the soil profile.
Aim for a spacing between the holes of around 8 — 10cm. In order to achieve adequate aeration, you may need to go over the area twice in a different direction each time. You can hire specialised aerators if you have a large lawn. A spiked roller is also useful for lawn aeration for incorporating lime, gypsum, or coarse sand into the profile to improve drainage or pH.
Aside from applying fertiliser you should continue to mow and water your lawn frequently after the aeration to help grow healthy grass in a short amount of time. Can a garden fork be used to aerate a lawn as well? How do you know if your lawn needs aeration? Soil compaction prevents the needed amount of air and water from reaching the soil. Without a healthy microbe population, decay will cease to occur meaning that once older plants die, they will just keep building-up until they create a soggy thatch layer.
Once this layer reaches a thickness of inches 2. Lawn Disease - If a lawn has become compacted it will become more susceptible to disease.
The most common lawn diseases are fusarium which occurs usually in autumn and winter, red thread in summer and rust in autumn. Grass Colour - Compacted patches of lawn usually have a dry appearance.
Rapid Drying - A lawn with poor moisture-holding qualities will dry faster than other healthier lawns. Rain Run-off - Really compacted soils cause the rain to run-off down the lawn. What tools will you need to aerate a lawn? Lawn aeration equipment falls into three categories:. Lawn aerator shoes. Have a specific gardening or plant-related question?
Ask now. Read more about lawn care. More useful information When should you cut your grass? Lawn topdressing: Why, When, and How to do it? When, Why and How to scarify a lawn. Useful from our blog How to avoid summer drought stress damage to your lawn? How and when to install a garden drainage system?
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