Over time, the soil of your lawn can become impacted. It is unfortunate and annoying, but also unavoidable. The combination of natural forces like rain, gravity, and the weight of people walking on it can compact the soil of your lawn. You may not think about the concept of impacted grass too much, but it can silently work to kill your lawn if it’s not dealt with right away. The effects of impacted soil can work to prevent water and nutrients from getting down to the grass’ root system. Aerating is the process of removing small “plugs” from the turf a few inches apart.
In addition to promoting grass health, regular aeration (about twice a year ideally) can reduce thatch buildup and actually help your grass build up an immunity to diseases over time. To work, core aerators must penetrate at least 2.5 inches into your lawn, and plugs can be anywhere from ¼ to ¾ of an inch wide. It is understandable for homeowners to have questions when considering aeration, but it’s important to remember that it is a fully natural process that is not known to have any negative side effects on grass. Here are some of the specific ways that aeration can improve the health and appearance of your lawn:
Improved Tolerance to Heat and Drought
Summer is right around the corner, which means intense heat and sunlight will be taking a toll on our lawns very soon. Everyone will be looking for ways to keep their lawns lush and healthy through this difficult time of year, and core aeration can help. The openings created by regular aeration can give the roots of your lawn more room to grow, which can help improve root density and lead to increased absorption of water and nutrients. Establishing a stronger root system for your lawn will help ensure its long-term health and appearance, and potentially save you money on future maintenance. When your lawn absorbs a higher percentage of water, it will be much less susceptible to the intense heat and dryness of the summer. Aeration in the spring can help your lawn stay healthy and lush all summer long.
Resistance to Thatch Buildup
In this context, “thatch” refers to a layer of dead grass that builds up around the base of your grass. Thatch is made up of a combination of plant parts, most commonly including roots, crowns, stolons, and rhizomes. Excess thatch buildup around the roots of your grass can stifle the roots and prevent them from properly absorbing water and the nutrients you feed it. The process of core aeration helps break down thatch by taking microorganisms from the soils and adding them to the thatch layer. Excessive thatch is associated with many problems in the world of lawn care, but tackling the problem early with aeration can save you time and money on dethatching in the long run.
Prevent the Appearance of Puddles
Spring is associated with heavy rain, which can cause puddling in lawns that haven’t been aerated. If your lawn has consistent issues with excess puddling, it could be the result of improper drainage. Core aeration can increase water absorption by your grass and soil, which can reduce runoff and puddling.
Preparation for summer makes spring an ideal time for residential lawn aeration. If you are interested in improving the health and appearance of your lawn in time for summer, reach out to the experts at Procare Property Services today for more information.