Lawns are living, breathing systems. They contain millions of microorganisms, plants, insects, molds and other living things alongside non-living elements like dirt, nutrients and water.
This can make landscapes incredibly complex things, especially when they begin to grow less green then, they should be. Soil compaction is one of the most prevalent issues that keep lawns from becoming as lush and green as most people would like.
Let’s explore what soil compaction is, and how aeration can help alleviate it.
What is Soil Compaction?
Ideal soil tends to have a loose composition. This allows air, water, nutrients and microorganisms to freely move throughout the soil. It also encourages root systems, such as the root systems of grass, to spread more, which in turn allows plants to find more nutrients.
The problem is that soil of lawns tends to compact over time. People, vehicles, animals and even water can contribute to towards this inevitable fact.
Unless something is done, soil becomes too compacted for most things to penetrate and grow. This leads to everything from bare spots to water diversion problems, which includes standing puddles of water in your lawn.
Aeration: Two Solutions to Compaction
Aeration is the act of mechanically breaking down the soil so that it becomes looser. This promotes growth, make sit easier for soil to retain water, and helps plant acquire nutrients more readily.
Aeration exists in two main forms: blade and plug aeration.
Blade aeration utilizes a series of blades that cut through the soil and thatch. This aeration creates small lines, between one to two inches in-depth, that break up the underlying soil.
While this method of aeration can be effective, it requires a significant amount of work and repeated aeration to bring results. It tends to fail to penetrate the soil deep enough, which in turn means that the effects are limited to the top of the soil.
Plug aeration extracts plugs from the soil. This allows for dirt, thatch and grass to be exposed. IT also creates small holes in the ground that allows for the surrounding soil to expand, which in turn reduces soil compaction.
The difference between this method of aeration and the previous one revolves around the effectiveness that it brings. Plug aeration focuses on a smaller aeration, which in turn allows for it to go deeper into the soil. This provides greater results than blade aeration.
The other difference is that plug aeration creates an excellent environment for seeding new grass. The holes are slightly cooler, retain moisture better, and give the grass seeds ample space to develop.
Let Us Help You Make Your Lawn Greener
Progreen Landscape Solutions specializes in landscaping and lawn care. We have the knowledge, experience and tools necessary to make any lawn look greener.
Contact us by calling (919) 497-6974. We can answer any questions you might have on making your landscape look more beautiful.