Issue 13, August 14, 2018

Aerating Lawns

As we are nearing fall, it is time to start looking at strategies prepare our lawns for the next growing season. Right now, you should be able to notice areas in lawns that received more traffic, unfavorable grass species, nutrient deficiencies, subtle ponding or even bare spots. This time of the year is perfect for aerating your lawns to help them repair, recover and reestablish for the next growing season.   

Aerating the soil is a process of creating openings in the lawn to help water infiltration, thatch removal, nutrient absorption and air movement into the root zone. This will also alleviate compaction and the issues that follow. It will allow the roots to grow deeper allowing the lawn to become thicker as well as more drought tolerant.

There are different types of aeration; Core aeration- uses a hollow tine to remove cores of soil and deposit them on the surface of the lawn, Spiking- uses solid spikes to create holes, splitting the thatch and cutting slits into the soil, slicing- uses rotating blades to cut narrow slits into the soil. Core Aeration is the most effective and the most visible of the three methods. It physically removes the soil and creates channels for water, air and nutrients to enter back into the soil. The cores that are left onto the top of the soil are typically watered back in and add nutrients once decomposed. The other two methods are less noticeable on the lawns but are not as effective.

When you aerate, you want to make sure that the turf is actively growing and not under heat or drought stress. Aerators work best if the soil is moist. This will allow the machine to penetrate the lawn more precisely and evenly. For the best coverage of aeration, making a double pass across the lawn is recommended. This means making a pass to the east, and then west or north then south. This way you will get optimum coverage.

 Allow a day or two to pass to allow the cores to dry before mowing them over. The mower will help to pulverize them back into to some of the holes and also spread the soil out evenly. You can also water after mowing that will help to disintegrate any remaining clods. For the best timing, be sure to allow enough time for the grasses to reestablish before a frost, so be sure to check the frost map for your region. Fertilization is typically recommended just after aeration as it will promote root and shoot growth.

Aeration is essential in heavy clay soils that are comprised in most suburban yards. Spring and fall aeration is recommended for heavily compacted soils. A reminder that when aerating in the spring there is the potential to increase weed production as the soils have been opened up, so weed control might be necessary. If the lawn looks good, then aerating every 3-5 years is recommended. (Maria Turner)

Author:
Maria Turner

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