What's the Big Deal With Aeration?

Salem Township lawn aeration

When researching how to take care of your Salem Township lawn, you may often see recommendations for aeration. You can aerate your lawn yourself if you have the proper equipment, but many lawn care and landscaping companies offer this service.

WHAT IS AERATION?

Recommended by lawn care and landscaping experts, aeration is a process that perforates the soil to allow water, nutrients, and air to reach the grass roots, improving lawn health. The biggest problem that aeration solves is soil compaction.

CONSIDER AERATING YOUR LAWN IF . . .

  • Your lawn surrounds a newly constructed house – Construction traffic compacts the soil.

  • You use your yard frequently – Heavy foot traffic can compact soil over time.

  • Your lawn is spongy or dry – Your thatch layer may be too thick if its greater than 0.5 inch.

  • Your yard has soil layering produced by sod – Fine soil can rest on top of coarse soil, hindering drainage and limiting root growth.

WHEN SHOULD YOU AERATE YOUR LAWN?

Lawns with warm season grasses should be aerated in late spring, and lawns with cool season grasses should be aerated in early spring or fall. By aerating at these times, you're ensuring that the grasses can grow in the aerated areas before their growing seasons end. Most homeowners have to aerate their lawns only once a year, but if your yard experiences frequent use or contains heavy clay or subsoils, lawn care and landscaping specialists recommend aerating your lawn 3 to 5 times annually.

ADVANTAGES OF AERATING YOUR LAWN

  • Decreased soil compaction

  • Better overall lawn health

  • Increased fertilizer uptake

  • Improved soil water uptake

  • Limited puddling and water runoff

  • Better air exchange between atmosphere and soil

  • Increased drought and heat tolerance

  • Reduced lawn maintenance

Once you know the benefits of aeration and when and how often to aerate, you're ready to solve the soil compaction problem in your Salem Township yard. You can buy or rent aeration equipment, but if you want to save time and effort, hiring a reputable lawn care and landscaping company like Great Outdoors is the better option.

About the Author:

For nearly 40 years, Great Outdoors has been growing relationships by providing high-quality residential and commercial landscaping services for the greater Southeast Michigan area. Specializing in full-service lawn care and creative outdoor living solutions, we utilize state-of-the-art equipment, high-end materials, and quality workmanship. We’ll help create the perfect yard to accent and complement your home.

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