Here at Pine Valley Rentals, we want to help you keep your lawn in the best possible condition, and we offer the tools to help you do just that. If your lawn has become too dense or compact, chances are it’s looking less than pristine and green. That’s where our aerators come in handy. When it comes to making your lawn thrive, one of the best tools for the job is an aerator.
What is Aeration?
Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow water, air and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. This helps the roots grow deeper, stronger and more damage resistant.
The main reason for aerating is to alleviate soil compaction. Compacted soil prevents proper circulation of air, water and nutrients. With the use of our aerator rentals, you will be able to perforate your yard with small holes that will create better circulation for a healthier lawn.
Does My Lawn Need Aeration?
One of the most common questions homeowners have is how to determine if their lawn needs aerating. Your lawn is probably a good candidate for aeration if it:
- Gets heavy use, children and pets can contribute to soil compaction.
- If your home was just built. The topsoil at construction sites is usually stripped or buried. Grass established on subsoil can be compacted by construction traffic.
- Does it dries out easily and have a spongy feel? This could mean that your lawn has a thatch problem. With a shovel, remove a slice of lawn about four inches deep. If the thatch layer is greater than one-half inch, aeration is recommended.
- Was established by the use of sod.
- Sod tends to come with a finer texture soil, which is then layered over the existing coarser soil. This layering disrupts drainage and leads to compacted conditions or poor root development.
When Should I Aerate My Lawn
The best time for lawn aeration is during the growing season. That way your grass can heal and fill in any open areas after perforation is complete. Cool-season grass should be aerated in the early spring or fall and those with warm-season grass in the late spring. You will also want to aerate when the soil is damp, so schedule for the day after a rain shower, or remember to heavily water your lawn the night before. Using aerators on dry soil is largely ineffective and could further compact your yard.
How Do I Aerate?
If you’re convinced that your lawn is in need of aeration, here are some tips on how to do it:
- Come to us at Pine Valley Rentals for one of our aerator rentals.
- Make sure the soil is moist enough. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to aerate soil that is bone dry.
- Guide the aerator over your lawn in straight lines with a slight overlap between each row, just like when mowing the lawn.
- Go back over the lawn in a direction that crisscrosses your first set of rows.
- Seed if needed. If you have bare patches, then this is the best time to reseed.
After aerating, be sure to continue basic lawn care practices such as fertilizing, watering and mowing. If your lawn is looking piqued, make aerating an integral part of your lawn care regime. Your lawn will thank you for it. Here at Pine Valley Rentals, you’ll find that all of our machines are kept in excellent condition. We know you’ll be satisfied with our top-of-the-line aerator rentals and excellent customer service. Give us a call today to schedule your rental.