The fall is the best time to aerate the soil in your lawn. It gives grass roots the boost they need to recover after the drying summer heat, and get prepared for robust spring growth.
Why It Is So Important to Aerate
Over time, lawn soil gets compacted. As you would imagine, compacted soil inhibits healthy root development and grass growth. When you aerate your lawn, vital nutrients, water, sunlight and oxygen can penetrate better and reach the root system of your lawn. A healthy root system is the foundation for a lush green lawn.
How is Aeration Accomplished
Aeration corrects soil compaction by creating openings in the soil throughout the lawn. Holes are created with various tools and equipment from footwear with spikes on the soles to highly effective aeration machinery.
There are many benefits of lawn aeration, including:
Reduces Soil Compaction
Compacted soil prevents water, air and fertilizer from reaching your lawn’s root system. When this occurs, dead areas and patches and/or thinning of the lawn occurs. By creating holes and removing cores in the aeration process, soil compaction is decreased.
Improved Air Exchange Between The Soil And Environment
A healthy lawn needs air as much as water to grow well. When soil becomes compacted, air exchange is hindered, essentially suffocating the grass.
Enhanced Soil Water Absorption
The openings and holes left by aerators allow much more water to be absorbed into the lawn.
Improved Fertilizer Uptake And Use
Soil aeration creates opportunities for fertilizer to reach grass roots more effectively. When nutrients can penetrate deeper into the roots, they have a greater benefit to the overall growth and healthy of the grass.
Reduced Water Runoff And Puddling
Because water is absorbed more efficiently, there is less runoff and puddling following aeration.
Stronger Root Growth
Aeration contributes to a healthier, deeper root system. This enables grass to better overcome stress caused by insects and disease.
More Grass, Less Weeds
When the grass root system is healthier and stronger, it is better equipped to defend against the intrusion of weeds and unwanted grasses.
Core Aeration is Ideal Fall Lawn Care
Core aerators improve compaction by removing small plugs, or cores, of soil and thatch from your lawn with specially designed aeration equipment. Hollow coring tines are rolled over the lawn, puncturing its surface and systematically removing small plugs of soil. The holes left behind allows for more air, water and nutrients to reach the root system much more effectively. Additionally, both water and fertilizer application become more efficient.
The plugs are left on the lawn surface following aeration. They will decompose naturally (and quickly), adding organic compost and micronutrients to the lawn.
Give Your Lawn a ‘Hole” New Life
At AC Yard Services, we offer a couple of options for lawn aeration. In the fall, we recommend our core aerator. CONTACT US today to schedule your fall lawn aeration service!
