Spring is here and that means everything is waking up from dormancy and the growing season has just begun in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington. One of the best things to do for your lawn during this season is to aerate. But what is aeration and why is it beneficial? This post will discuss the process of aeration as well as how and why aeration is one of the most helpful tasks to perform on your lawn.
What is Aeration?
Aerating is simply the process of perforating small holes throughout your lawn. These holes allow moisture, air, and other nutrients to deeply penetrate the roots of your lawn. This process enables the roots of your grass to grow deeper into the ground, making a happier, healthier lawn. Aeration mitigates soil compaction. Compaction of soil inhibits the growth of your lawn by not allowing air, moisture, and other nutrients to reach the roots.
Aeration Tools
When aerating your lawn, there are two main types of tools to do so: A plug aerator or a spike aerator. The plug aerator removes a small plug of grass and soil from your lawn, while a spike aerator simply pierces a hole into the lawn. We suggest avoiding a spike aerator as this can actually cause further compaction around the holes, which is, obviously, counterproductive. Since a plug aerator removes a small piece of soil, it further relieves compaction, allowing for more nutrients to reach the depths of your grass roots.
When to Aerate
The best time to aerate lawns in the Pacific Northwest is either in early fall or spring. We suggest aerating in spring, during the growing season, because it allows your lawn to recover and fill in the holes that are left after aeration. We suggest aerating on an annual basis to ensure your lawn is receiving the nutrients it needs in order to be as healthy as possible.
After Aeration
After aerating your lawn, care for it as you normally would, by using proper mowing techniques, watering as needed, applying organic fertilizer and overseeding when necessary. If a plug aerator was used, the plugs can be removed or they can be left to compost in the lawn. We suggest letting the plugs remain in the lawn to decompose as it adds beneficial nutrients to the soil.
At Urban Eden Landscaping, we have years of experience in caring for lawns. We have all of the necessary tools to properly aerate your lawn or to perform a plethora of other lawn care services as well. If you are in need of assistance in caring for your landscape, give Urban Eden a call today at (360)567-6399, contact us here, or fill out our FREE estimate request.