When air and water cannot reach the root system of the lawn, the condition of the lawn will suffer. Lawn compaction may be solved by the installation of garden aerators. Aerators allow crucial elements to reach the root system, and once they do, new growth should be the direct result.
Lawn aerators come in both manual and motorized varieties. Hand held varieties are fine for small lawns, but are not the best choice for larger ones. Larger models may be attached to a riding lawn mover and pulled over the lawn. Do consider the size of your lawn prior to purchasing a lawn aerator.
Aeration is a simple process that involves cutting small plugs into the soil. Each plug will penetrate not only the grass, but the soil and roots as well. Aeration tubes are quite different than simply using spikes to penetrate the ground. These tubes allow for maximum oxygen delivery to the root system.
In order to determine if your lawn is suffering from compaction, cut a small section of grass from the lawn. Be sure to cut at least six inches deep. Should the root system only measure 1-2", core aeration will be beneficial. Do note that root depth can change with the seasons. Typically, roots are longest in the spring and shortest during the summer.
In San Diego, lawn aeration can be completed at any time of the year. Many choose to make this task a part of their routine lawn maintenance. Once the lawn has been aerated, a layer of compost can be applied to supply important nutrients. A deep watering of the lawn is also recommended.
Advantages of core aeration include:
- Decreased watering and fertilization requirements
- Greater tolerance to heat and drought conditions
- Helps prevent puddling and water overflow
- Improved fertilizer uptake
- Soil compaction is relieved
- Increased air penetration
- Revitalization of the lawn through deeper cultivation
