Aerating Yard for Growth

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Category: Garden - Topic: Aerating Yard For Growth

Lots of things can affect a lawn: constant running on it, pressure, climate, etc. Even if you've done everything correct, and it still looks not as wonderful as it should, than you may need to use a core aerator to pull out plugs. Normally, what you will be pulling out are plugs for air, water and fertilizer. This may help make your lawn healthier in the end. Start this process by trying to recognize if you have compacted soil. Does your fertilized grass not green up? Does water not sink in and just stand? Sometimes affected areas are flatter than other areas.

Clay soil areas may be worse even due to how climate and weather may affect it. Once recognized test your soil for fertilizer, lime and sulfur needs. The result will show you the appropriate and recommended amount to apply. After applied adjust your mowing height one notch. Now, if you have no patience than try and be patient, it will take about a month of observing your lawn to see the start of improvement. Once a month has passed, you may now start to aerate your lawn. There are two ways to aerate: manually and mechanically. Manually aerating a lawn may take more time and labor. A manual aerator has a handle with a T-bar attached to it that has four hollow pipes that can be plunged into the soil; removing cores of soil. If your lawn is not on the compact side and may be kind of large the mechanical aerator may be best to save time and labor. When using a mechanical aerator, only use equipment you may be familiar with. If not familiar with any equipment consult your local lawn specialist.

Always soak and drench the lawn the day before aerating it. Slowly go back and forth in a pattern to make sure you cover the area once. Always leave the core where they fall. Crush the cores next and mix them thoroughly with pect or compost moss. This will be used to fill and plug up the holes. Remember when mixing core soil to do it 1/3 by volume. If using your hands to fill use a gloved hand, but always make sure that the holes are level to the lawn itself. You can then continue your usual watering schedule once fertilizer has been used. Try and use a slow-release turf growing formula fertilizer to ensure best results. Do not mow for three weeks! This may ruin the process.