Lawn Aeration 101

While most homeowners have heard of lawn aeration, many are unfamiliar with its actual function. Moreover, they are uncertain of which type of lawn aerator to purchase and how often they should use it. If you want to keep your lawn healthy year round, a lawn plug aerator is ideal.

What Is Lawn Aeration?

When the topmost portion of soil becomes compressed, the roots of the lawn do not receive proper nourishment, including oxygen and water. As a result, the grass may die. To prevent the top soil from becoming compacted, a lawn aerator will make holes and create openings in the surface to allow for free movement of the soil. This procedure eliminates dirt ‘plugs’ and transports nutrients from the soil’s surface to the roots. By encouraging movement, the lawn remains healthy and green throughout the year.

The Benefits

By removing clumps of soil, a lawn plug aerator promotes movement of oxygen and air to permeate the roots. Different from a punch aerator, which is supposed to punch through the soil and extract plugs of soil, or aerating shoes, which seem to drive the soil further down, a lawn plug aerator effectively eliminates plugs of soil.

Because some lawns require additional organic substance to the soil, lawn aeration creates open space at the surface for the matter to move freely. A lawn plug aerator is ideal for a hydraulic system, as it can penetrate a much deeper layer of soil than an aerator/roller.

Hire a Professional

Some homeowners rent lawn aerators, but they are often difficult to locate and overpriced. Hiring a professional lawn care service will save you time and give you the full benefit of lawn aeration.

The Best Time

The spring and fall are optimum seasons for lawn aeration. Why? Lawn aeration in the spring is ideal for applying organic substances into the soil, while lawn aeration in the fall helps to break up compacted soil from heavy use during the summer months.

Before & After

Is a lawn care specialist scheduled to aerate your lawn next week? Make sure your grass is somewhat lower than usual and water it regularly for the next two to three days; then water your lawn immediately after it’s been aerated. To optimize the structure of your soil, incorporate a blend of organic matter two days post aeration, raking it into the holes. You’ll begin to notice earthworms and insects following suit and quickly enhancing the soil. A lawn plug aerator not only improves the quality of your lawn, but it saves you additional maintenance in the long run.

More information on Lawn Plug Aerators
A helpful resource on lawn plug aerators and why they are a great choice to aerate your lawn.