What is lawn aeration?
Lawn aeration is the process of puncturing the soil with small holes that alleviates soil compaction, prevents excessive thatch build up and provides vital elements such as air and water to enter the grassroots. This process helps loosen the soil so roots can dig deeper and grow more densely.
Why should I aerate my lawn?
The bottom line, lawn aeration increases lawn health and reduces lawn maintenance requirements and costs throughout the season.
The process of reducing soil compaction is really beneficial to your lawn. When the soils are too compacted, they build up a dense particle population, which prevents air flow, nutrients, and water from properly circulating. Excess lawn thatch, is a layer of living and dead turf grass that accumulates on the top layer of the grass. This layer of thatch can starve the roots from the necessary vital elements it needs to thrive.
Key benefits of lawn aeration:
Improves grass health and root growth
Saves water
Controls weeds
Cuts down on fertilizer needs
Reduces erosion
Reduces runoff
Cuts down on dethatching needs
Helps winterize your lawn and prepare it for spring success
When should I aerate my lawn?
The ideal time to aerate your lawn is during weather periods that will support its recovery. The optimal times for this to happen are during growing seasons, and this is dependent upon the type of grass. Cool-season grass tends to thrive during the cooler temperatures of the spring and fall, whereas warm-season grass usually thrives during the early summer months. Lawn aeration is best performed at these times because weather during these periods helps to control lawn thatch build up.
Signs that indicate you need to aerate your lawn.
A vibrant and healthy green lawn is the perfect backdrop to all your outdoor activities. Unfortunately the hot summer months and soil compaction cause your grass to die. Aerating your lawn has many amazing benefits that help combat and rejuvenate your lawn growth. Below we'll cover some signs that indicate you should consider aerating your lawn.
It's Fall
Fall is the best time to aerate and seed your lawn. The cooler days and nights will aid in providing the nutrients needed to reach the root system. The cooler temperatures allow for more moisture in the soil and help the seeds germinate faster, encouraging new growth.
Thatch is present
Lawn thatch, is a layer of living and dead turf grass that accumulates on the top layer of the grass. This layer of thatch can starve the roots from the necessary vital elements it needs to thrive. A thatch layer thicker than ½ inch can prevent water, oxygen, and vital nutrients from getting to your lawn’s root system. The aeration process helps break down thatch at a faster rate.
High traffic areas
If your yard receives heavy foot traffic, kids, or pets who play on your lawn regularly, this can cause compacted soil. Aerating will help loosen the soil so that new grass can grow and thrive.
Do you have clay soil?
Many homes and newer construction are built on clay soil. Clay soil is dense and doesn’t support air, water, or nutrients to move freely through the soil. The soil composition and density can lead to an unhealthy lawn. Regularly aerating your lawn will help break up the clay and improve overall drainage. This will have a significant impact on the overall health of your grass.
Puddles on Your Lawn
Do you have puddles forming on your lawn after a light rain? Poor drainage is another sign that your lawn needs to be aerated. Aeration will help improve the drainage of your lawn and reduce puddling.
Thinning Grass
There are many reasons why your grass might be thinning. One reason could be that your lawn is too compacted for the roots to grow properly. Aeration will help reduce compaction and improve the health of your lawn.
Discoloration throughout your yard
Yellow and brown spots in your lawn are usually a sign that the grassroots do not have the proper nutrients it needs to thrive and have that healthy green coloration. If you notice other warning signs in combination with yellow or brown patches, then it’s time to aerate and seed.
Inability to Moisten
There’s a stark difference between saturated ground and compacted soil not allowing proper absorption; however, both look similar and can be difficult to detect if you aren’t paying close attention. When the ground is saturated, it will remain wet for a longer duration. However, if an area is suffering from heavily compacted soil, it may appear wet, but quickly dry out afterward. Essentially, you aren’t able to keep compacted soil moist.
Grass Stops Growing
A healthy lawn needs food to grow. Fertilizer provides essential nutrients for healthy grass; however, over time, that same fertilizer that supports growth will also compact the soil and make it difficult for new blades of grass to breakthrough. If you notice your grass has stopped growing or is growing at a very slow pace, it may be time to aerate.
Failed the Screwdriver Test
Using a screwdriver, or even a pencil, you can test to see if your soil is heavily compacted. Stick the object into the ground and see if you have difficulty. If you do, it's time to call us and we'll help by aerating your lawn!
Now that you've learned the benefits and ways to test and identify if your lawn needs aeration, the next step is to contact the Amazonia team and schedule your free, no-obligation quote. Our lawn care team will be happy to help you achieve a healthy lawn and provide our top notch lawn aeration services.