Just like people do, plants need breathing room. While most
plants can get the air they need from the top, having adequate
circulation in the soil is critical for growing healthy turf. If
you’re noticing that last year’s lawn is this year’s sponge,
it’s time to rent or purchase a lawn aerator.
Aeration keeps soil clumps from becoming rock-solid bits of
earth, helps water to drain through the soil, and removes excess
thatch build-up. In addition to benefiting your turf, it also
helps the micro-colonies of beneficial organisms that live in
your soil to stay healthy.
Although aeration, especially core aeration, is best when done
in the springtime, you can aerate your lawn any time after the
frost is out of the ground.
Before you invest in aeration, you may want to check your lawn
for thatch buildup. If you can easily push your finger through
your lawn to feel the soil, then aeration isn’t a necessity.
Still, it won’t hurt. Making a habit of yearly aeration keeps
your lawn healthy and keeps you ahead of clumping, thatch
build-up and poor drainage problems.
Small lawns with little thatch can be easily aerated by walking
over them wearing a pair of spiked shoes. The least expensive
type of aerator is a spiked pole, which you push into the
ground. However, the most effective type of lawn aerator is a
core aerator. If you have large areas of turf, this is the type
of aerator that will do the best job. In addition, core aerators
can be purchased to attach to most riding mowers and lawn
tractors.
The disadvantage of core aeration is that it does leave plugs of
earth scattered about your lawn. However, the plugs can be
removed, broken up, or will quickly decompose under heavy spring
rainfalls.
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