Lawn Aeration
When your lawn is in need of aeration, it is literally suffocating for air. Hence the apropos name aeration. Johns Creek Landscaping offers aeration services as one of its many maintenance offerings. On this page, we will cover what aeration is, why to aerate, when to aerate, and how aeration improves your lawn. We will even touch base on how aeration is good for seeding. Aeration can be executed by homeowners but it is best to enlist a professional in the interest of time, expense, and effectiveness. Contact us via phone or email if you have questions about the cost and process.
What is Aeration?
Aeration is the act of creating physical space in your lawn’s soil so that vital nutrients can reach the roots. Running, playing, standing, walking, and scampering on lawns causes the soil to become compacted. This generally occurs when your lawn is actively used. Like most Johns Creek residences, the garden is more than a beautiful focal point. It is a place where children, adults, and animals stretch, play, and unwind. We use a mechanized hand-pushed device to put divots in the ground and extract compacted soil. Dense soil is left on top of the grass surface to fertilize.
Why Do We Aerate?
The simple answer is because we want your lawn to thrive. The only way to have a lawn worthy of a golf course is to aerate annually. The frequency depends on the usage. Aeration relieves soil compaction which can literally squeeze the life and death out of your lawn. Compaction of ¼ inch can block the flow of nutrients like sun, water and restrict carbon dioxide and oxygen that is vital to plant health. Aeration loosens hard soil, penetrates thatch, and creates an entryway for nutrients and water to flow to the roots. It enables carbon dioxide to escape from the soil and oxygen to enter which allows plants to breathe.
When to Aerate
Generally, the best time to aerate is in the fall. Aeration should be conducted at least 4 weeks before the first frost or in the spring. The average low temps in Johns Creek is 40 to 60 degrees in September and October. These are the best fall months to aerate. March, April, and May can work too because average low temps are between 38 and 54 degrees. If you’re like most of our clients with warm variety grasses such as Bermuda, the ideal time to aerate is mid-spring to early summer. If you don’t know what type of grass you have, don’t worry, we can tell you in an instant. Feel free to send us a photo of your grass for professional identification.
Aeration and Seed Germination
Whether you have turf or seed grass, aeration is always a good idea. Depositing new seeds annually is part of lawn maintenance. Once winter is over and spring is well underway, we like to deposit new seeds to remedy the dead spots and patches that formed during the colder months. Aeration divots are an excellent place for seed germination. Microclimates are established that are more humid, cool, and protected from the sun. Aeration should be conducted at least once annually for optimal lawn health. It helps turf roots stay healthy and grow. To learn more about aeration and pricing, contact us today.