Lawn aeration keeps lawns healthy

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Lawn Aeration

Aeration coresOne of the Lawnboss' most recommended lawn maintenance procedures is core aeration. Do it every year. The open holes speed fertilizer and lime into the lawn's root zone. Aeration also reduces compaction, improves rooting and helps control thatch.

Northeastern US lawns benefit greatly from at least one aeration per year. Aeration is best done when the grass is actively growing.

Fall is the best time to aerate your lawn, which is September in the Northeastern US. Spring is second best. Try to aerate when the soil is moist but not overly wet for the best soil "plugs." Leave the soil cores on the lawn to breakdown on their own, since this also helps reduce thatch build-ups. They usually disappear on their own within a few weeks.

 

Save Money on Aeration - RENT a machine with your neighbors for a weekend!

You can rent a walk-behind machine that removes small soil cores of soil from your lawn. Neighbors will find it beneficial to split the cost of an aerator rental and do several neighborhood lawns in one day.

If you are physically unable to run an aerator, most lawn and landscape services provide lawn aeration as a regular service. An average 8,000 square foot lawn usually costs $100 or less.
  

What to avoid when aerating your lawn

Some areas of your lawn may prove difficult or impossible to aerate. These areas would include ones that are difficult to access, too steep or are full of surface roots from large trees. It's also very important to stay away from "electric dog fence" wiring since it is usually just a few inches below the soil surface and can be easily cut by a penetrating aerator tine.

This electric dog fence was flagged following installation. Once the flags are gone it's very easy to forget where the shallow wires are located. Cutting these wires while aerating will create added expense and aggravation.

  
So what's so great about aeration?

  • Rooting is improved
  • Soil compaction is reduced
  • Fertilizer and lime enter the soil better
  • Drought tolerance is improved
  • Thatch breakdown is enhanced
      

Core aeration for lawns
Rows of hollow tines on this aerator pull soil plugs.
It's beneficial to leave the soil plugs on the lawn.

  
More reasons to aerate your lawn

  • Regularly fertilized lawns build thatch
  • Kentucky Bluegrass sod lawns produce thatch
  • Soil around new homes is usually compacted
  • Helps lawn applications reach the root zone
  • Years of lawn traffic creates compacted soil

Seeding lawns after aerating

 

   


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