by Nancy Bolton
Core aeration is a advocate ethnic practice to defend and boost a healthy lawn . It is especially important for compacted , hard - used turf and those with thatch buildup of more than half an column inch . Aeration is a process that transfer small filth plug or “ cores ” from your lawn . Each core is 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide and 3 - 6 in long . Depending on the machine , the hole are about 2 - 6 inch aside . These finger - similar cores are deposited on the lawn itself and will disintegrate and strain back down into the soil after it rains . commix soil and Blackbeard hastens the decomposition of thatch .
What will aeration do for my lawn ?
Aeration avail meliorate root zona conditions by relieving soil densification while control thatch . Compaction happen in clay - based filth and in those that are heavily used by play or parking . Compaction is most severe in badly - drained or pissed internet site after the site dry . This compaction tighten the space in the soil that would commonly view as air . Grass roots involve oxygen to acquire and imbibe nutrient and water . The result of this deficiency of air in the root zona is poor top growth and lawn deterioration .
The Virginia Cooperative Extension experts believe that essence aeration benefits your lawn by :
How do I know if I need to oxygenise ?
As mentioned , lawns with compacted soil leading to thin turf need aeration . In improver , those lawn that have more than 1/2 column inch of thatch also could benefit from aeration . If in doubt , get rid of a straightforward foot section of lawn at least 6 in rich . If dope stem extend only into the first 1 - 2 inches , your territory is compacted . With cool time of year pasture such as fescue , the origin will be at their myopic at the end of the summer .
When do I aerate ?
In Virginia , the best time to aerate for cool time of year lawn is in the cooler weather of the fall . springiness is an choice though . Root extension is the longest in the spring , but oxygenate in the fall tending in the product of raw origin . capitulation is the time of the yr for vigorous growth and lawns will quickly reclaim from the aeration process . dope competition is the least at this time as well . Do not air frozen undercoat nor new seed or sodded lawns in the first year . Also , do not aerate during drought status .
How do I aerate ?
You canwatch a videothat shew how to activate a lawn . Find the television at“Aerating Your Lawn ” Video(this picture sport Tom Thompson , caput of the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech and Head Golf Coach Jay Hardwick and was film on the Pete Dye River Course , a top - ranked college golf game form on the campus of Virginia Tech ) .
Other things to know :
To reduce compaction during the wintertime … .
seed :
“ Aerating Your Lawn , ” Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication , pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430 - 002
“ A Lawn to Dye For — How to make a Perfect Lawn : oxygenise Your Lawn ” Video Series , Virginia Cooperative Extension , pubs.ext.vt.edu / CSES / CSES-38
“ Bsic Turf Management Principles — Core Cultivation or Aerating , ” Colorado State Cooperative Extension Publication , CMG GardenNotes # 551
