My lawn service has suggested aeration of my lawn. This was back in August and it is now October 20. They haven't doen it yet becasue they claim to be "backed" up. I am in Pennsylvania and am wondering if there is any value to having this done this year now with winter approaching. Any suggestions/thoughts/comments?
Dean
If you have less than a 1/2 inch of thatch and don't need reseeding, I'd pass. If your lawn is new sod, I'd pass as well. Core aeration is useful to punch through heavy thatch to allow moisture and fertilizer get to the grass roots. It is a means to allow reseeding get directly to the soil too. If you have a few hard spots, try aeration by hand. You can get a hand aerator at one of the borgs and it is a good tool to determine the amount of thatch. Anytime you core aerate, you do open up the lawn to weeds.
Hope this helps,
Thunder
soil in my area is soooo poor aeration helps whenever it is done. However, usually done early autumn or spring. Esp useful if you plan to top dress with top soil and reseed. Its a little too late to reseed in this region now so it will have to wait ill spring. The plugs removed during aeration can remain whereever they lie. Of course, the lawns looks like FiFi did her business all over the place. Eventually the plugs break down. A word of warning .....my neighbor rented an aerator being a "DO It yourself DUDE" the soil here is also very rocky.....the thing richoceted to his face breaking all his front teeth in half. Cost for set of 4 caps $4,000 buckeroos.
YES! Aerate the hell out of it. The soil plugs will begin to break down over the winter, when you're not using/cutting the lawn.
We do them up until the ground frezzes..then we start doing them again in the spring.
I read one reply that said something about measuring your thatch layer to determine if you need core aeration or not, he said something about 1/2 inch of thatch or less doesn't need it. I say bullshit! If you wait until it's 1/2 inch or more, aeration won't cure it.
Some lawns need aeration every year, as a preventative to 1/2 inch of thatch.
Aerate, aerate, aerate!
YMMV
I guess we have a point of disagreement. My info is from NC state Agriculture. Thatch is a good thing until it begins to prevent moisture and nutrients through. Keeps the lawn cool and acts like a mulch. As usual, too much of a good thing becomes a problem.
Also, use a mulching mower. The cuttings don't cause thatch if you don't cut over 1/3 grass height.
Does your source say anything about relieving compacted soil with aeration, or is that just an added bonus to maintaining thatch with a core machine?
Thanks everyone! I will say that I have very little thatch (good muching mower. And the soil is compacted somewhat due to the temporary road used during pool installation 3 years ago. I believe I will call the lawn people and tell them to get their butts out here this week! I might even get some new grass if the weather holds through Thanksgiving.
Dean
Apply gypsum to break up clay.
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