Lawn maintenance takes on renewed vigor in spring. The season of new growth is an opportunity to tend the grass in your yard and address the effects of winter weather. Aerating lawns in early spring by driving holes into the soil can improve their condition. Here are three advantages of lawn aeration to keep in mind.

Why Aerate a Lawn in Early Spring?

1. Reduce Soil Compaction

Compacted soil leads to a host of problems that make even the most basic lawn maintenance tasks a frustrating chore. Resolve compaction problems early in the growing season to avoid having to deal with shallow roots, decaying grasses, and poor water penetration. Aerating loosens the soil, creating space for oxygen, moisture, and nutrients to feed roots and helping fire up the process of healthy growth again.

2. Minimize Thatch

Without regular lawn maintenance, a lawn may develop a thick mass of decaying grass known as thatch. Like compacted soil, this unsightly layer creates a barrier that prevents moisture, air, and fertilizer from nourishing roots and helping grass thrive. Over time, the grass in a lawn will thin and eventually die out. Plugging holes into the ground during aeration helps break through damaging thatch.

3. Improve Drainage

Water runoff can cause significant erosion problems in an unaerated yard by carrying off topsoil and nutrients. Puddles may form on lawns where drainage is poor. After it rains or when you turn on your sprinkler or irrigation system, pooling water may develop into unsightly and unhealthy muddy patches. Standing water that attracts mosquitoes is also unsanitary. Removing plugs from a lawn helps soil absorb water more efficiently, thereby reducing stagnant pools of water and runoff that may otherwise develop.

 

Are you ready to give your outdoor space the attention it needs this spring? Turn to the team at Hoffman Turf in Beavercreek, OH. This locally owned company offers a variety of lawn maintenance services, including aeration, weed control, mulching, and mowing. Message them online to find out how they’ll help you get your yard ready for the warmer months ahead, or call (937) 260-9715 to schedule a free estimate.