Improving Your Soil With Core Aeration

When left on its own, soil develops problems that inhibit growth, so it needs a little help. Core aeration is the process of making small holes throughout the soil under your lawn to encourage healthy growth. Lawn professionals can aerate your soil once a year to help it support life and keep the landscaping around your home looking great.

Issues With Your Soil
It’s not uncommon for soil to become resistant to oxygen and nutrients. Two problems that contribute to this resistance are compacted soil and thatch buildup. If your area has a lot of clay, your yard is at particular risk of compacted soil. This problem occurs when impacts on the ground, such as foot traffic and heavy rains, cause the soil to become denser. Thatch buildup is another contributor. When your landscaping debris builds up faster than it can break down, you end up with thatch. It can keep new growth from forming and strangle established growth by not allowing necessary elements to feed it. Core aeration addresses both of these issues.

Soil Solutions
Many people will try to use spike aerators to break up soil, but these tools don’t target the really troublesome spots and may actually make the compacted soil problem worse in the long run. Lawncare professionals can revitalize your lawn by using core aerators to break up the chunks in compacted soil and help break down thatch. Aerators work by removing 3-inch cores of soil and breaking them up. This leaves your lawn with a healthy place to grow and helps you avoid those unsightly dry or yellow patches in your yard.

If you notice areas of your yard where your lawn doesn’t seem to be coming in right no matter what you do, it may be time to hire someone to perform core aeration on your soil. Breaking up compacted bits can help your lawn get everything it needs to thrive.