We often get asked the question, “What is aeration and how does it benefit my lawn?
Aeration is the process of perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn.
The main purpose of aeration is to alleviate soil compaction. When compacted soils have too many solid particles in a certain space, this prevents proper circulation of air, water, and nutrients within the soil.
Your lawn is probably a good candidate for lawn aeration if:
- Your lawn gets heavy use - children and pets running around the yard contribute to soil compaction.
- Was established as part of a newly constructed home - the topsoil of a newly constructed lawn is often stripped or buried. This in turn causes the grass to be compacted by construction traffic.
- Dries out easily or has a spongy feel - this could mean that you have an excessive thatch problem. If thatch is greater than ½ inch, aeration is recommended.
- Was established by sod and soil layering exists - this means that soil of finer texture is layered over existing coarser soil. This disrupts drainage and leads to compacted conditions and poor root development.
It is extremely important that nutrients reach the soil beneath your grass. Aeration, along with fertilizing and watering, are key in order to maintain a beautiful, healthy lawn. After all, a beautiful lawn doesn’t happen by itself.
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