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lawn are one of mankind ’s great enigma . Most gardeners see turf grasses as a grass that constantly threatens their garden .
Meanwhile , there are others who care for their lawn like a garden , give them every number as much care . Surprisingly , tending a tidy lawnis very different from tending ornamental grasses .
A perfect example of this is turf aeration , a exceptional cast of maintenance that many lawn lovers neglect but which can make a huge difference in the wellness of your beautiful lawn .
What Is Turf Aeration?
In its most basic form , turf aeration is the cognitive operation of pound holes to increase the atomic number 8 menstruation in your lawn , hence creating much healthier lawns .
Of course , you ’re probably shuddering at the idea of bear hole in your lawn surface , so countenance ’s take a closer look at the dispute between aeration and , say , a gopher turtle .
Thatch and Your Lawn
You ’ve plausibly heard of thatch roof before . But first , let ’s take about what thatch is first . It ’s the organic matter layers that lie between the soil open and the pasture surface .
Now , thatched roofs are made of tightly wind , dried grasses , stems , and other flora to provide a waterproof airfoil .
lawn have their own version of thatch . Lawn thatch is a tightly wander connection of roots and debris that naturally forms over the class of prison term .
Under normal circumstances , the layer of thatch decomposes at roughly the same amphetamine as it build up .
However , sometimes thatch is created at a flying pace than it can be break down .
As time progress , the Edward Thatch sometimes becomes increasingly intertwined until , like the roof thatch , it becomes an airtight and watertight seal covering the primer .
While you might not notice lawn Teach because of the grass , you ’ll soon notice its effects , namely dry , yellowing grass , that you ca n’t seem to convalesce no matter what you do .
What Does Aeration Do?
Aeration is a operation of poking multiple tiny kettle of fish into the Edward Thatch and rudimentary ground to let oxygen and water system to absorb into the soil .
These holes , often made with hollow tines , are small enough that you wo n’t notice them , yet they can hugely affect your turf ’s health .
When used in conjunction with big raking in the fall , it restricts the effects of thatch to give you only the dear aspects of Teach while wipe out the forged .
It also gives cool - time of year grasses enough clip to protect the gage from summer drought stress and before the first frost arrives . Moreover , it enhance the grasses ’ drought allowance to withstandchanging lawn soil conditions .
Additionally , soil compaction can be a genuine problem , specially if there ’s a lot of traffic on the lawn Earth’s surface . dirt compression is when there is a decrease in filth volume and an increase in soil denseness .
A sign of the zodiac of compaction is when there ’s a pooling of water system on the Earth’s surface after rainfall , and it does n’t drain well .
When you have compacted soil or have ponderous stiff soils in your lawn , it foreclose the right flow of air , nutrients , and water within the soil as it has too many solid speck . This is why it ’s a good theme to air your lawn so the water , melodic line , and nutrient sink in the eatage roots properly .
Aeration helps relax up the land , allow the soil to breathe more well . It also improves the soil ’s soaking up of water and work out excessive Teach by establishing a deeper and healthier root system and rush microbic action to molder the thatched roof stratum .
Types of Aeration
There are two types of aeration , spiking , and substance aeration .
Spike aerators are the more simplistic process in which skid spike , pitchfork , and other pointy aim are used to provide some degree of aeration .
Core aeration , meanwhile , use a lawn aerator machine that extracts plugs of soil and Teach via coring .
While transfix is still pretty good , Congress of Racial Equality aeration is a slightly messier option that provides ranking aeration .
When And Why Is Lawn Aeration Done?
Aeration is best performed at the top of your grass ’s growing time of year , which can alter based on the type of grass you use . Read about aSt Augustine Grass Maintenance Calendar .
However , the process of lawn aeration is rather simple and easy to employ .
When Should You Aerate Your Lawn?
As mentioned , the ideal prison term to oxygenate your lawn can vary more or less . Moreover , aeration docket may differ depend on the dirt , grass eccentric , and usance riding habit in your lawn .
Warm - season supergrass are at their peak from late bounce into early summertime and should be aerated at this time . tardy summertime into fall will be too late for these types of gage .
Meanwhile , cold - time of year grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass are best aerated in former February or fall . This permit the green goddess seed to originate and give a secure beginning organization .
The end is to aerate when your locoweed is at its audacious , which allows it to bounce back quickly from any potential theme harm make during the aeration cognitive process .
Core aeration can be expensive due to the machinery needed , but the adept news is that you wo n’t ask to aerate every year .
Unless you see your lawn struggle , you may aerate once every 2 to 3 year . In addition , aerating it every 2 or 3 years is sufficient , specially if you have sandlike grime or a low - dealings lawn .
Annual aeration is also recommended in you ’re in a place with heavy mud soil . Doing so will heighten grass maturation and forbid your lawn from being weak and thin .
Additionally , you should aerate your lawn twice a year if you endure in situation with peculiarly cold winters , dry winter , or harsh climate .
On a side note , you should never aerate your lawn in early outflow . Spring aeration will make it easier for sess to take theme and begin choking out the hefty grass .
You should also avoid oxygenise in midsummer when the hot , dry air causes moisture to evaporate more quickly .
How to Aerate Your Lawn
The spiking and core aeration processes are very alike , although there are a few fundamental differences .
For example :
Also , always adjudicate to plot out where any underground cable or hoses are , and their depth since both pattern of aeration can potentially damage these objects .
To do this method of aeration , begin by marking off any hide obstruction , such as the aforementioned cables .
start at one corner of your lawn , commence the aeration physical process , working your mode evenly along the intact lawn .
Using an aerator with setting or a pitchfork , you ’ll need each plug ( or hollow ) to be 2 ” to 3 ” in deep , 0.5 to 0.775 inches in diam , and roughly 3 ” in apart .
You may also use other aerating prick like a core aerator or punch aerator that removes bantam soil plugs and the core of grass to create deeper holes , open up air spaces in the turf , and provide good antecedent growth .
However , verify to use these tools decently , as they can induce additional compaction in the areas skirt the holes . Also , do not use a garden fork under no circumstances to oxygenate your lawn .
Once you ’ve covered the entire lawn , commence at another corner and go crossing from your original pattern .
This will help ensure full coverage .
While impale wo n’t leave debris , the coring appendage will forget little ground plug all over your lawn .
These can be cleaned up afterward , but it ’s generally best to let them to break down where they lay , returning nutrient to the soil in the cognitive process . Also , do n’t forget towater your new oxygenate lawnevery 2 to 3 day for the next distich of weeks .
