Lawn aeration keeps your grass healthy throughout the year. Over time, the soil underneath your yard can get compacted, which makes it more difficult for the roots to access the water, oxygen, and nutrients they need. This can lead to a variety of issues like thatch and patchy growth. Aeration makes small holes in your yard to promote healthy germination, improve soil drainage, and encourage worms and other oxygen-rich creatures to live in your grass.  If you’re ready to reap the benefits of a healthy lawn, here’s what you need to know.

Do:

Aerate in the fall.

Grass usually establishes its root zones in the fall, which impacts how much water and nutrients it will have access to throughout its dormant season. Lawn aeration allows the grass to access nutrients in the earth easier and primes it for any end-of-season fertilizing. If you can open up the soil a bit in the fall, the grass will be healthier and more prepared for growth when spring and summer roll around.

Go over the yard more than once.

Lawn aeration isn’t a quick process, and it’s easy to miss sections or not get the tools deep enough into the ground in certain areas. To make sure you don’t end up with a patchy lawn, it’s essential to go over every area at least a couple of times. This will ensure that the grass grows consistently across the entire yard and you don’t have dry, dead patches in the spring.

Don’t:

Remove the soil plugs.

The soil plugs around your lawn after aeration might not look especially attractive, but they do add essential nutrients to the soil as they break down. Instead of raking them away, let them decompose on their own, and they’ll make your lawn and soil much healthier in the long run.

Try to DIY.

If you’re not a skilled landscaper with experience in lawn aeration, leave the process to professionals. You can easily miss sections of your lawn or cause permanent damage that requires re-sodding if you do not correctly use the aerator. Avoid issues and get it done right the first time by leaving this job to lawn care professionals.

If you’re ready to invest in lawn aeration, contact Compton Lawn Care in Belleville, IL. The lawn care company offers a wide array of landscaping services, including lawn mowing, fertilization, leaf removal, shrub trimming, and even power washing. The locally owned and operated company is dedicated to delivering quality service and also offers a satisfaction guarantee. You can request a free, no-obligation quote on the company’s website or by calling (618) 971-2547.