Why Aerating is Important for Your Yard

A beautiful landscape doesn’t just happen by accident. Yards need attention year-round, and more than just watering and mowing. They may also need aerating, dethatching, and other services designed to help the grass grow better so it looks fantastic. Homeowners, as well as commercial land owners, can look into complete lawn care services by a local lawn company. One task they won’t want to overlook is aeration for the entire yard.

Potential Problems for Yards

Grass seems to grow almost too quickly during the growing season. It may need to be cut often to keep it from getting too tall. While grass is resilient, there are some issues to watch out for as these can cause the grass to not grow properly or for large amounts of the grass to die.

When grass dies, the dead grass falls between the growing blades of grass. When there’s just the right amount, it breaks down over time and provides added nutrients to the grass that’s still growing. However, this can build up to become too thick. This is called thatch, and if it gets to be more than about a half an inch thick, it could make it more difficult for the grass to get the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Another issue yards often suffer from is compaction. Most people are aware that driving over the grass with vehicles or heavy equipment can compact the soil, which could destroy the grass in the area. Compaction can also occur by people walking over the grass, animals playing on the grass, or anything that is on the grass a lot. This doesn’t mean everyone should stay off the grass; it’s just something to be aware of and to combat with landscape services.

Aeration Might Provide the Answer

Aeration might be the answer if the grass suffers from a thatch that’s too thick or if it’s suffering from compaction. Basically, aeration works by pulling up small plugs all over the yard. These plugs extend down into the soil below the grass, leaving tiny holes that can provide room for the roots grow, help new grass get started, and help open up the layer of thatch so the grass gets the nutrients it needs.

If excessive thatch is the main issue, local lawn services might start by using a lawn dethatcher. This is designed to pull up the layer of thatch under the grass to give the grass the room it needs to get more nutrients from the soil. However, aeration can also be used to combat thatch that’s too thick.

The lawn service provider will use an aerator on the entire yard to pull tiny plugs from the grass. These plugs should be allowed to dry out, then broken up so they can be reabsorbed into the soil and provide more nutrients for the grass. The spots the plugs were pulled from will let in sunlight, water, and other nutrients that the grass needs to grow. They’ll also provide room for the grass roots to be able to grow, combating the compaction that was preventing growth before the aeration was done.

The Right Time to Aerate a Lawn

There are two main types of grass: cool-weather grass and warm-weather grass. The time of year when aeration should be done depends on the type of grass in the yard. For warm-weather grass, aerate in the spring. For cool-weather grass, aerate in the early spring or fall. This should be done as needed, but some yards will require aeration yearly because of higher levels of compaction. A local lawn service can provide information on when to use a yard aerator for the type of grass as well as help with the aeration to ensure it’s done correctly.

Choosing to Work with a Pro

Is it better to aerate alone or seek help from a local company? If the aeration is not done properly or it’s not done at the right time of the year, it can inhibit the growth of the grass or cause dead spots in the grass. The local lawn services have experience in aerating yards and know how to use the aerator properly so the job is done right. They also know when to do the aeration based on the type of grass to be sure it is able to get the nutrients it needs to grow properly throughout the year.

Tips for Successful Lawn Aeration

Home and business owners who want to ensure the aeration will be successful should speak with the lawn service company to make sure they know what to do before and after the aeration. This helps them learn what will work to help the aeration be a success. Some things to discuss with the company include the following.

Watering the Yard the Day Before Aeration – If the soil is too dry, it can be more difficult to use a yard aerator. The company may prefer the yard being watered the day before the aeration so the soil is moist. The soil should not be too watery, though, or aeration may be more difficult.

Planting Grass Seeds Soon After Aeration – Right after the aeration is the perfect time to plant grass seeds as they’ll have the space to grow. They’ll also have an easier time accessing sunlight, water, and other nutrients so it’s more likely the seeds will germinate.

Staying Off the Lawn – While it’s possible to walk on the lawn after the aeration, home and business owners should try to limit walking or driving on the yard after the aeration if they decide to seed. Seeds should be given around a month to germinate and start to grow.

If your grass isn’t growing properly or seems to not be doing well, look into complete lawn care by a local lawn service today. They may recommend aerating your yard to give your grass access to everything it needs to grow thicker and greener. They also offer other services that are designed to make your yard look fantastic, whether you own a large commercial lot or a small residential lot.