Aeration is one of the most important maintenance practices we can employ to help the lawn remain healthy and help ward off problems. It is estimated by the Lawn Institute, that over two-thirds (2/3) of residential lawns are growing on compacted soils. Many times, there is no evidence of insect or disease activity, but the lawn seems to be off-color, thinning, and shows signs of stress in high temperatures. In general, the lawn seems lethargic. Chances are good that the lawn hasn't been aerated in the past few years, if ever.
Compaction is a physical process that slowly reduces the amount of oxygen contained in the soil and nutrient movement to the roots. The critical part of a healthy grass plant. Under ideal conditions the soil should be composed of 50% solids, 25% air and 25% water. Roots of the plant need oxygen, and as a product of their growth process, give off carbon dioxide. As compaction increases, less and less oxygen can enter the soil and less carbon dioxide can escape. The net result is a gradually thinning lawn until, ultimately, the soil can no longer support turf growth. 'Aerating'. Aerating provides what any good farmer does when they plow their fields, it breaks up the compaction and loosens the soil so your grass can grow and flourish in a healthy environment.
Aerification will prevent or help a number of problems, including compaction and thatch build-up. It opens passageways in the soil, allowing better air, water, and nutrient movement. During drought conditions, aeration helps water reach thirsty roots. When rain is heavy, it allows air to penetrate and help dry up excess moisture. Each is a stress condition for your grass.
Aeration helps loosen the soil and helps decompose the excessive thatch layer at a faster rate. Both services accomplish a similar goal, but lawn aeration does so without the possibility of damaging your lawn in the way that dethatching would.
Lawns can be aerated anytime there is adequate moisture, but the best times are fall and late spring. This is also the time for over seeding and renovating with improved varieties of cool-season lawn grasses. Mid-spring to early summer are best for warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia. When the existing lawn is in fairly good condition and over seeding is being used to thicken the lawn, one or two passes with a core aerator may be the only soil preparation required. Weak existing grass, with a greater need for seed, may require additional passes with the aerator to open the soil properly.
Lawn aeration involves the removal of hundreds of small soil "plugs" from a lawn. A machine extracts cores of soil roughly 3/4" in diameter by 1" to 5" long as it is driven or pushed over the turf. The holes poked into the turf provide a direct path for air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots. These soil plugs, which can be raked over the surface of the turf, will break down, thus accelerating thatch decomposition and the return of nutrients to the soil.
Our equipment includes the following:
Aerating should be scheduled when the soil is soft enough, but not too soft, the service day is picked when ideal environmental conditions exits.
When the conditions are ideal, we will go out of our way to provide service for all the customers that have placed an appointment to have their lawn aerated.
Copyright © 2024 Black Fork Tree Farm - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy