"Small Feet, Big Feet, Here Come Pig Feet."

A line from the Dr. Seuss classic "foot book" may seem an odd way to start a discussion on Aeration, but it really is all about feet. The fact is that foot traffic, even paw traffic, wears down the turf of your landscape. As people walk and run, their weight rolls from heel to toe, causing compaction issues. Dogs however cause a different wear and tear, tear being the key, as their paws actually contain claws that help give them traction. Depending on your business, location of your landscape and people in general your turf might see a whole lot of foot traffic. Not only do we enjoy them for their aesthetic value, but we also use them as makeshift patios, pathways, and playgrounds for our kids.   The downside is that turf can become compacted from all of this foot traffic, which leads to a thin, poorly-draining lawn, also soil compaction slows water penetration and can reduce root growth. Learn the ins and outs of aerating to prevent compaction and keep your landscape looking sharp.

What is Aeration?
Aeration creates small holes in the ground that allow water to soak deeper into the ground and help promote root growth.

Yearly aerating relieves compaction from foot traffic and keeps your lawn healthy.

Types of Aeration

Core Aeration - Core aeration, or core plugging, is the most common way of aerating your lawn. The aerating machine removes plugs of soil from the lawn and leaves them lying on the lawn surface. To avoid damaging your sprinklers, be sure to flag your sprinkler heads before running this machine over your lawn. Core aeration allows air to get into the root system, breaks up the compaction of soil, and allows water and nutrients into the root zone. Most aerate in fall, then apply grass seed and fall fertilizer right afterwards to help the lawn fill in.

Aerovating - This process uses a machine with vibrating tines which penetrate the soil and vibrate at such a rate of speed that they break up compaction effectively. Aerovating is most effective in dry weather, If the soil is moist, use core aeration.

Aeration Dos and Don’ts

Do Aerate in Fall
Though you can aerate anytime spring through fall, aerating in fall works well because you can apply a fall fertilizer which is high in phosphorus and will support root growth. Fall is also a great time to overseed, which is helpful after aeration since you’ve just removed plugs of lawn from the soil.

Don’t Remove the Plugs
When doing core aeration, it is tempting to remove the little plugs of soil from your lawn, since they look like little dog poops. However, it’s best to leave them be. The plugs dissolve into the environment within about two weeks, and they help your soil microbes break down your thatch layer.

Do Make at Least Two Passes with the Aerator
In areas where the turf is weak and compacted, make more than two passes.

A Word of Caution
There are many fly-by-night businesses that offer seasonal aeration services, if the price is cheaper than your usual lawn care service would charge, you should be suspicious. Many companies charge a rock-bottom price, but only make a single pass with the aerator and so don’t really do the thorough job your lawn needs. They also may not include services such as fertilizing and overseeding after the aeration is finished.

You are already busy enough, let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC take the watering and landscaping worries of your commercial property off your mind.  To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net