All gardeners need to be aware that lawn aeration is an necessary part of lawn maintenance. Lawns that are growing in a heavy clay type soil and have areas that have heavy traffic and the soil get compacted. Not all lawns need aerating, if you lawn is thick and lash and you soil is a loam type with decent drainage then soil aeration would not be a problem for you.
The primary purpose of aeration of lawns is to guarantee better soil structure that increases the vitality of the soils micro organisms. Depending on the soil type of the lawn it is easy to do this by hand with a standard garden fork or or a core aerator tool. If your lawn is more then a acre them you may want to get a contractor in to do the job or you can purchase core lawn aerators that are usually towed at the back a ride on mower.
Early Spring or Autumn to aerate your soil for the reason that this is the natural time when the plants to establish their root systems, based on the type of turf variety you have. The point is to poke holes or spike the turf at equal intervals by driving the fork vertically into the soil and withdrawing it and not levering it sideways. Core or plugging aerators have an advantage over garden forks because they actually dig a core of soil leaving a hole that can be plugged or filled with a mixture of top soil and fertilizer and then a good watering.
Lawns that have a problem with thatch it is a good practice to leave the cores on the lawn, allowing them to work back into the grass. It is a great organic soil conditioner that will encourage microbe activity in the soil. Lawn aeration make sure that the plant receives oxygen for root growth and reduces soil compaction which improves water and fertilizer penetration. Using a core aerator can be used to minimize thatch buildup and to decrease soil compaction. One of the difficulties with core aeration devices is that a substantial amount of soil, grass and roots in the form of cylindrical plugs are left on top of the soil. These plugs are actually the soil removed from the core and left on top they break down and redistribute the soil throughout the thatch layer which helps to modify the physical structure of the thatch, which raises soil microorganisms.
Below are some of the benefits of lawn aeration;
Decreases water and fertilizer requirements for vigorous lawn Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance. Helps the regeneration of new root development Improves fertilizer uptake Relieves soil compaction. Helps improve the recycling flow of air, water, and fertilizer. Helps thatch breakdown. Promotes a greener, weed free lawn.
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Lawn aeration is important for the reason that even the most minor compaction can have a damaging consequence on your soil, resulting in: Lack of water penetration, hindering your soils absorption levels, and promoting excessive water shedding and potential erosion. Drop in to our web site to learn much more and to see the types of lawn aerators available.