Lawn Aeration
Lawns are our business, and as part being the best at what we do, we believe in educating our customers about lawn care.
Lawns need aeration to improve the depth and extent of turf grass rooting, and to improve fertilizer and water use. Walking, playing and mowing are forms of traffic that compact soil and stress lawns. Raindrops and irrigation increase soil density by compacting soil particles and reducing large air spaces where roots may steadily grow.
Compaction is a condition that occurs primarily in the upper 1 to 1 1/2 inches of soil. Compacted soils have reduced air spaces and more resistance to root growth than non-compacted soils.
Compacted soils are dense and cause water to puddle and run off. Compacted soils have reduced air spaces and more resistance to root growth than non-compacted soils. Compacted soils are dense and cause water to puddle and run off.
Practically speaking, lawn aeration is the process of mechanically removing small plugs of thatch and soil from the lawn to reduce soil compaction and improve soil aeration.
Aeration helps all lawns, especially those growing on compacted soils. Aeration allows better water uptake, enhancing fertilizer use and speeding up thatch breakdown.
Immediately after aeration, your lawn will be dotted with small plugs pulled from the soil. Within a week or two, these plugs of thatch and soil break apart and disappear into the lawn.
About 7 to 10 days after aeration, aerification holes will be filled with white, actively growing roots. These are a sign that the turf grass is responding to additional oxygen, moisture, and nutrients in the soil.
After aeration, your lawn will be able to use less water without showing signs of wilt. With repeat aerations, your lawn will show enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance, saving you water and money.
Lawn experts agree with Chula Vista Lawn Care that all lawns benefit from twice annual aeration. Lawns on slopes or in extremely poor soil will benefit with 3 to 4 aerations annually.