Taking care of your home and your lawn can be a challenge without access to the right tools. Using an aerator is one way to properly ensure the maintenance and appearance of your yard. On top of mowing, fertilizing and watering plants, aerating is another step needed to make your lawn grow healthy.
What is Aeration?
Aerators are equipment used to mix air with other substances. Lawn aeration is a process which creates holes in the soil on which lawn grasses will grow.
Aeration involves two core functions. The first is controlling the lawn thatch, or the layer of dead organic tissue which can starve grass roots. The second function is reducing soil compaction, which makes it difficult for grass to develop long roots and which disrupts irrigation.
The best time to aerate your lawn is during the growing season. This is when the grass can heal and fill in any spaces created by the aeration.
Why Should You Use an Aerator?
The main reason homeowners make use of an aerator is to reduce soil compaction. Creating more holes inside the soil will encourage more air, water and nutrient circulation.
Since proper circulation is essential to the healthy growth of your lawn, you need to assess whether or not your lawn is suffering from excess soil compaction or lawn thatch.
Your lawn might need to be aerated soon given the following conditions:
- Your property is newly constructed
Construction traffic often compresses the subsoil layer, while the topsoil of newly constructed lawns is stripped off. If you’re property is new and you are wondering why the grass on your subsoil is not growing healthily, then a lack of aeration might be the problem.
- Your lawn often encounters foot traffic and use.
Lawns used as a frequent playground or racetrack by children, pets and other people can lead to soil compaction over time.
- The top layer dries out easily and feels spongy.
Drying out easily and having a spongy feel can be signs of an out-of-control lawn thatch. If the thatch layer is greater than one-half inch of the topsoil, you need to use a lawn aerator already.
Where Should You Get an Aerator?
You can make use of different types of aerator. One of the main types is the spike aerator. You use this tool to poke holes into the ground. Another type is the plug aerator, and you use this by removing a plug of grass and soil from the lawn.
Getting high quality aerating equipment is easy if you go to a trusted equipment rental company. You can also ask for advice on how to properly and efficiently aerate your yard.
Written by Lindsey Rentals. Lindsey Rentals offers the best equipment rentals in Columbia, MO.