The growing season is quickly coming to an end. Mowing will soon become unnecessary as the cooler weather settles in and grass enters a dormant stage. But there are still lawn care activities that need your attention. In fact, some of the things you do now can actually affect the healthy and beauty of your lawn next spring. One such activity is lawn aeration. If you are uncertain about what lawn aeration is and whether you should do it, keep reading.
What is Lawn Aeration?
Aeration is the practice of making small holes in the surface of a lawn. The preferred method of lawn aeration is to insert hollow cylinders into the ground. The cylinders force 2- to 3-inch long plugs out of the soil and leave behind holes of the same depth. Alternately, insertion of spikes can also be used for aeration, but this method is not as effective since it does not remove plugs from the soil.
Benefits of Lawn Aeration
But you may be asking yourself why anyone would want to make holes in their lawn? The simple answer is that it actually helps the lawn to be healthier. Some key benefits of lawn aeration include:
- It reduces compaction of soil
- It prevents thatch from building up on the surface of the soil
- It allows better circulation of air
- It improves the absorption of water, fertilizer, and nutrients by grass roots
In short, aeration helps grass get what it needs to live and thrive. It is especially helpful for soils that experience heavy traffic or are in generally poor condition.
Combine with Overseeding
Often homeowners follow lawn aeration with overseeding, which is the process of scattering grass seeds over existing grass. For lawns that are thin or nearly bare, overseeding can significantly improve the look and health of the turf. Combining the two boosts the effectiveness of overseeding. When sown on aerated ground, seeds have a better opportunity to settle directly on the soil. This promotes germination and root growth. As more individual grass plants grow and become established, the lawn will become more thick and lush. It will also be healthier and better able to fight disease and withstand drought and other damage.
Lawn aeration and overseeding are valuable lawn care practices that every homeowner should consider, especially if there are signs of soil compaction or thinning grass growth. Fall is the ideal time to perform these activities to give the grass seed time to germinate and become rooted before colder weather arrives. If you think your lawn could benefit from aeration and overseeding but aren’t sure how to do it (or just don’t want to), Ping’s can get it done for you. Just like we provide expert tree care that keeps your trees healthy and beautiful, we can also provide services to keep your lawn healthy and looking great. Call us at 317-298-8482 to schedule aeration and overseeding. Our work now will help you get your lawn ready to grow in the spring.
This post first appeared on https://pingstreeservice.com