The inland northwest’s cold winters and hot summers can take their toll on your lawn, but regular Lawn Care Ninja is the key to revitalizing turf and ensuring a beautiful landscape. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you aerate your yard:
1. Improves Air Exchange
Aeration loosens compacted soil and promotes healthy root growth by allowing more oxygen into the roots and soil. 2. Enhances Water Absorption
Aeration allows rainfall and lawn irrigation to penetrate more deeply into the soil, reducing runoff and providing your grass with more of its necessary nutrients.
3. Boosts Fertilizer Utilization
By creating holes in the soil, aeration allows fertilizers to be more effectively absorbed, delivering essential nutrients directly to your grass’s roots.
4. Alleviates Soil Compaction
The frequent foot traffic of people and pets, as well as heavy equipment used in construction or yard work, compacts the soil over time, preventing it from breathing properly. Regular aeration prevents soil compaction, keeping your lawn healthy and weed-free.
5. Helps with Thatch Control
If you have a thick layer of thatch (usually greater than 1 inch), dethatching is recommended prior to aerating your lawn. This helps ensure the aerator’s tines will penetrate the thatch, not simply poke holes in the surface of the soil. Make sure to mark sprinkler heads, decorative edging and other lawn obstacles with flags before beginning the aeration process, as the aerator can easily damage these items. It’s also a good idea to lightly water your lawn the night before aerating, as this will soften the soil and make it easier for the aerator to remove soil plugs.