Why is aeration important for your lawn?
The importance of lawn aeration.
Lawn aeration is a vital part of lawn care.
In this blog post, the experts at TruGreen UK discuss the ins and outs of this lawn care process to answer the question: why is aeration important for your lawn?
Why is lawn aeration needed?
We aerate to keep soil healthy and to maintain the balance of air and moisture available to the roots.
Well-aerated soil will absorb rainfall and irrigation more effectively and drain more freely, allowing organic matter to be broken down to recycle vital nutrients.
Additionally, it is important that the grass plant forms an extensive root system for healthy growth and to maximise its tolerance to stress by ensuring access to water and nutrients.
Poorly aerated soil pore size will be reduced, resulting in a loss of soil structure from increased compaction.
Therefore, there is less root development and a reduction in water and nutrient uptake by the plant.
Better rooting in well-aerated soil will also help the grass plant survive during periods of hot and dry conditions, as the deeper the roots the more they will find the remaining moisture available.
Check out our latest video on YouTube below explaining why aeration is important for your lawn:
Are there different types of lawn aeration?
There are two main types of aeration:
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Solid tine
Driving metal spikes into the surface of your lawn via a machine called an Aerator. This punches holes into your lawn to relieve compaction issues and assist in refreshing your lawn
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Hollow tine
Pushing a hollow metal tube into your lawn. This benefits the lawn by opening the pores in the soil, allowing your grass roots to grow more efficiently.
Solid tines are generally the tine of choice during the spring and summer, which comes in a range of diameters and lengths but will produce a round hole in the lawn allowing for oxygen and moisture to enter the soil profile.
Aeration best practices
The types of aeration will depend on several factors, including the type of lawn.
A heavily clay-dominant soil will be more prone to compaction and require a more intensive and regular aeration programme than a free-draining lawn with sand-based soil.
Generally, routine aeration should be concentrated within the top 100mm of the lawn.
While the selection of equipment can depend on the size of the lawn area, it is typically completed using a self-propelled mechanical machine.
For localised work in confined spaces and around the edge of the lawn, hand tools like the trusty garden fork serve an important function.
However, for the best results, you’re best to call in the experts.
Need professional lawn aeration services?
With over 20 years of experience delivering premium lawn care services in the UK, our experts nationwide have all the latest tools, products and expertise to make your slice of paradise shine this summer.
To see how we can help you today by tailoring a bespoke treatment plan suited to the needs of your lawn, find your local TruGreen technician today for a free lawn analysis.
