by
Laura Horwitz, All About Lawns Columnist
Have you ever heard of lawn aeration? If not, you're missing out on one of the best tips for having a healthy lawn. It offers numerous benefits that will keep your grass greener.Over time, the lawn forms a layer called thatch -- essentially dead grass tissue between the healthy green vegetation and the surface of the soil. It must be removed periodically to keep a thriving lawn. Aerating your lawn in spring or fall cuts down on this thatch.
What Is Lawn Aeration?
Basically, it's a fancy name for poking holes in the soil. Benefits of
lawn aeration include:
- Allowing oxygen to reach the roots and soil
- Allowing organic fertilizers and nutrients to reach the roots
- Greater water absorption in the soil
- Breaking up thatch
- Loosening compacted soil to allow the roots more room to grow
You can aerate your lawn with the help of lawn aerator. You can choose one of two types:
- A manual aerator has two to four hollow cylinders (that remove soil) or spikes (that just create holes) that you push into the soil with your foot. (Hint: the hollow cylinders are better!)
- A power aerator saves you some time and effort. However, power aerators cost more, tend towards the heavy side, and are often hard to control.
More Aeration Tips
- Water your lawn the day before. This makes the soil softer and easier to aerate.
- The coring aerators work better than spikes. The removal of soil allows the lawn's roots more room to expand.
- Leave the extracted cores on the grass to dry then rake them into the grass -- this creates micro-organisms that feed on thatch.
By selecting an appropriate
lawn aerator and following some of the tips above, you can enjoy a healthy lawn in the spring and summer months.
Laura Horwitz has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for five years in both London and the US. She had a monthly landscaping and tips column for the Sussex County magazine RH Review, and her articles have appeared in Film Focus, 6 Degrees Film, and BizBash magazine.
