No More Lawn Aeration Frustration

Lawn aerating is a vital component to maintaining the health of your lawn. Unfortunately, many people are unfamiliar with this important lawn care technique. Find out what lawn aerating technique will be most effective for a lawn.
Have you ever seen lawn aerating shoes and wondered if and how they work? While lawn aerating shoes are somewhat effective, there are far better ways to aerate your lawn. If you’re trying to escape from having to aerate your lawn this year, you may want to reconsider. Lawn aeration is absolutely necessary—it nourishes your lawn and prevents it from acquiring long-term damage. Nonetheless, there is a correct means to aerate and a good time to do it for optimum results. Lawn aeration is fundamental in sustaining a vigorous and healthy lawn.

About Lawn Aerating
Lawn aeration involves removing plugs of soil from your lawn to encourage the healthy penetration of oxygen, water, fertilizer and other nutrients into the grass roots. Rather than pushing the soil into the ground like aerating shoes, core aerators are mechanical aerators that get rid of the clumps of soil. Lawn aeration is a critical procedure in lawn care maintenance.

Benefits of Lawn Aerating
All plants require oxygen like they require carbon dioxide; however, they need oxygen in their roots. When a lawn endures heavy foot traffic, the soil is compressed, thus eliminating holes where oxygen typically flows freely. Plants will starve if they’re devoid of oxygen. Lawn aeration also enhances the life of creatures in the soil and lessens the possibility of thatch.

How Often Should You Aerate Your Lawn?
If your lawn does not receive a lot of traffic, you should aerate it once yearly. Lawn aeration should not take place during the process of new plant growth, as it disturbs the roots and causes stress. The spring and fall are optimal seasons to aerate your lawn, when plants are in their active growth phase and the weather is not too cold or too hot.

If your lawn is covered with a warm season grass, it will benefit from lawn aeration in the summertime. However, you must pay close attention to how often you water your lawn—make certain it’s continuously moist.

The Lawn Aerating Process
A professional lawn care service typically has a punch-core aerator that effectively aerates the lawn; however, if you prefer to do it yourself, you may need to research for rental places in your area that have core aerators.

If you decide to hire a professional, you’ll need to mow the lawn at a height that is somewhat shorter than usual, as well as give it a minimum of one inch of water a couple of days before aerating. After your lawn has been aerated, it needs an inch of water two times a week on a regular basis.

So the next time you see lawn aerating shoes on the store shelves, keep walking. Armed with the right information, you can effectively aerate your lawn and be well on your way to a beautifully green and healthy yard.
Lawn Aerating Information.
A helpful resource for lawn aerating.

By Alex Grassy
Published: 3/13/2009
 
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