Lawn Aeration

What is Lawn Aeration?
Lawn aeration involves the removal of small soil plugs or cores out of the lawn. Although hand aerators are available, most aeration is done mechanically with a machine having hollow tines or spoons mounted on a disk or drum. Known as a core aerator, it extracts 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter cores of soil and deposits them on your lawn. Aeration holes are typically 1-4 inches deep and 2-6 inches apart. Other types of aerators push solid spikes or tines into the soil without removing a plug (spiking). These are not as effective because they can contribute to compaction. Core aeration is a recommended lawn care practice on compacted, heavily used turf and to control thatch buildup.

What Will Aeration do for My Lawn?
As lawns age or sustain heavy use from play, sports activities, pets, vehicle traffic and parking, soil compaction can result. Soil compacting forces are most severe in poorly drained or wet sites. Compaction greatly reduces the pore space within the soil that would normally hold air. Roots require oxygen to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Compaction reduces total pore space and the amount of air within the soil. It has negative impact on nutrient uptake and water infiltration, in addition to being a physical barrier to root growth. This results in poor top growth and lawn deterioration.

Core aeration can benefit your lawn by:

• Increasing the activity of soil microorganisms that decompose thatch.
• Increasing water, nutrient and oxygen movement into soil.
• Improving rooting
• Enhancing infiltration of rainfall or irrigation
• Helping prevent fertilizer and pesticide run-off from overly compacted areas.

Lawn Seeding

Seeding for density improvement

There are several factors to consider prior to spending the time and money on seeding your lawn. Ask yourself several questions before making your educated decision.

• Is my lawn exposed to full sunlight? If yes- September would be the optimum time to seed the lawn. The recommended turf grass variety in the Maryland area for insect resistance, disease resistance and durability during heat stress conditions would be “Turf Type Tall Fescue”. Seeding full sun areas in the spring exposes very young grass to summer heat and drought conditions and potentially allowing crabgrass germination in these areas.

• Is my lawn growing in shade conditions? If yes- April would be the optimum time to seed the lawn.  The recommended turf grass variety in the Maryland area would be a shade mix usually consisting of "Red Fescue, Hard Fescue and Chewings Fescue" as the dominant varieties. Seeding prior to leaf establishment on the trees will allow enhanced germination. There is no need to worry about crabgrass germination as this unwanted grassy weed will not grow in shade conditions.

• Soil preparation: Prior to seeding the soil needs to be prepared for good seed soil contact. Core aeration, dethatching or even hand raking are a common procedures to prepare the soil for seeding.

• Watering: Moisture is absolutely essential to promote seed germination.

• P.H. of soil should be checked prior to seeding and adjusted with a limestone application if needed.
  
  
• Nutrient management: Phosphorous is essential for germination and establishment of seedlings. Soil testing will provide exact ratios of nutrient availability.