Dethatching and aeration services can help breathe new life into your lawn by providing better air and water absorption into the soil.
WACO, Texas (PRWEB) February 23, 2015
Over time, little bits and pieces of grass die and gather just above the soil causing thatch to build up on lawns. In the same way, foot traffic on a lawn compacts the surface and hardens the upper inches of soil, limiting lawn growth. According to the experts at The Grounds Guys, dethatching and aeration can alleviate these issues and help a lawn flourish.
Thatch, a thick, interwoven mat of living and dead materials, accumulates on the surface of the soil when grass grows faster than it decomposes. It is beneficial to lawns in small amounts, however, if thatch builds up on a lawn, it can form a barrier that prevents moisture and air from reaching a lawn’s roots. This can hamper lawn growth and increase risk for pests and diseases.
Compacted soil – a term describing ground where the soil is pressed tightly together – occurs slowly over time after pressure from walking on the lawn. The roots and water both struggle to penetrate the compacted soil, often resulting in patches of dead, brown lawn. Aeration, the process of adding small holes to the soil that allow air, water and nutrients to reach a lawn’s roots, can help.
Here are basic tips about dethatching and aeration from the experts at The Grounds Guys:
Dethatching
- Choose the right time to dethatch. Late spring or early fall are the best times.
- Before dethatching, mow the lawn to recommended height or slightly lower.
- Select a thatching rake that has thick blades to dig into your turf and bring the thatch up to the surface. If using a mechanical dethatcher, use it correctly and safely. Follow directions and safety measures carefully.
- Pay attention to where sprinkler heads and buried cables or lines are located to avoid damaging them.
- Remove and discard thatch debris if it has fertilizer or pesticide in it. If you haven’t fertilized or used herbicide, you can add thatch to your compost.
- After dethatching, water the lawn thoroughly.
Aeration
- Choose the best time to aerate the lawn. Aerate warm-season turfs in late spring or early summer. Warm season lawns include Bermuda grass, Buffalo grass, and St. Augustine grass. Aerate cool-season turfs in the fall. Cool-season turfs include Ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and Creeping bent grass.
- Avoid aerating a new lawn. Wait for at least one year to aerate a lawn.
- Make sure the soil is moist. Aerate the lawn after it rains or after watering it the day before.
- Be sure to aerate thoroughly by using a specific pattern to ensure even aeration.
- When finished aerating, provide proper care for the lawn with fertilizing, mowing and watering.
The Grounds Guys’ dethatching and aeration services can help breathe new life into your lawn by providing better air and water absorption into the soil. For more information on dethatching and aeration, give their team of experts a call at 1-888-992-4251 or visit GroundsGuys.com.