Lawn aeration: what it does and why it’s important
Aug 25, 2023, 1:57 PM | Updated: Sep 5, 2023, 12:38 pm
If you have clay soil or clay loam soil, you will need to aerate your lawn at least in the spring to keep it healthy. What you’re going to do is pull out the plugs about an inch to an inch and a half long. (Canva)
(Canva)
SALT LAKE CITY – One of the ongoing topics during the past few weeks on the KSL Greenhouse show has been lawn care. And since many people have been having issues with their lawns, Taun and Maria discussed the importance of lawn aeration.
If you have clay soil or clay loam soil, you will need to aerate your lawn at least in the spring to keep it healthy. What you’re going to do is pull out the plugs about 1 inch to 1-1/2 inches long.
“Longer would be better if we could find the right aerating machine to do it,” Taun said.
These plugs that you’re pulling out should consist of some soil and thatch, and you’re going to leave them on top of your lawn.
“As that breaks down, it introduces microorganisms into the thatch layer that helps break the thatch down more quickly,” Taun said.
Aeration also loosens the soil, which helps you get more root growth on your lawn. As the soil loosens up, more oxygen will be able to get in there.
“We always recommend doing this in the spring on most soils, unless they’re sandy,” Taun said.
(One thing to note is that aeration will not restore a lawn if lawn grubs have destroyed it.)
The KSL Greenhouse is on every Saturday from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. You can follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and on our website.
