Chances are you already know the basics about lawn keep to have stumbled upon aeration. If not, then aeration is puncturing holes into the soil. This allows air, water, and other nutrients to filter through down to the bottom layer. Actually, a core aeration service punctures holes to the roots which in turn helps your lawn get stronger over time.
Now that we have gotten that out-of-the-way is it beneficial? Yes, it certainly is, but does your lawn qualify for aeration? Here’s a checklist:
- Do you use your lawn as a playground?
- Has recently been under heavy stress or load?
- Dries out easily and feels spongy?
- Does it have a fine layer of sod over the coarser layer of soil?
If you have checked any one of those out then you are going to benefit from aeration.
The reason for this is that over time and use the pressure applied to the grass is going to compress. The soil becomes dense packets that will not let water, air, or other nutrients penetrate deep within. That means even if you do take care of your lawn it’s only on the surface. The soil below is left unaffected by the lawn keeping. This is where a Core Aeration service becomes useful by allowing the air, water, and nutrients reach the roots.
With the proper tools, you can puncture the surface of your lawn to let the soil breathe. What tools to use? There are two main tools that are in use to aerate lawns/yards. The Spike Aerator and the Core or Plug Aerator. The Spike Aerator will simply, poke the ground and puncture holes into it to form channels. The spike aerator does not do the greatest job. However, it is better than not doing anything if you are trying to save money.
Now while they might sound similar in use there is a big difference between the two. The Spike Aerator pokes holes into the lawn to allow air and nutrients to pass down. However, it does nothing for the compressed soil in the middle of the patches. The soil is still going to stay compressed. The Core or Plug Aerator will remove plugs and give room for the soil to move and relax. In return, this reduces the soil compression. This allows a more natural and free flow of nutrients, air, and water around your lawn.
The best option is a Plug or Core Aerator. This tool will take out cores of soil from the ground to make room will help your lawn expand better. This helps with the compression that it goes under due to heavy use. If you are doing the Core Aeration yourself you can rent a Core or Plug Aerator from Home Depot or Sunbelt. However, sometimes it is cheaper to have a lawn service company complete the Core Aeration service for you. If you are in Saint Augustine or Saint Johns County, FL and would like a Core Aeration service, please ask for a free estimate from us.
This, in turn, will make way for better lawn keeping. Now when you water and fertilize your lawn it’s going to reach the roots of the lawn. This enables stronger growth in the future and leads to a more resilient lawn. This will make your lawn easier to keep up in the long run. Additionally, your yard will need less maintenance to keep looking beautiful and clean.