6 Warning Signs Your Lawn Needs Aeration Now
Common Signs You Need to Aerate Your Lawn
Aerating and overseeding your lawn are some of the best ways to keep your grassy areas looking their best. However, many wait too long to act, leading to a poor looking lawn. Fortunately, some easy to recognize warning signs are there to let you know that it’s time to aerate your lawn.
Signs It’s Time to Aerate Your Lawn
A nice green lawn provides the perfect backdrop for your property. An HOA or apartment community with poorly kept lawns in their common areas will receive plenty of complaints. Retail centers with ugly lawns may lose out on potential business due to driving customers away. Unfortunately, warm temperatures and compact soil can cause your grass to die. Here are some signs that it’s time to aerate your lawn:
1. A Thick Layer of Thatch
Have you noticed a thick layer of dead organic matter on the top of your lawn? If so, there’s thatch on your lawn, and it’s not good for your lawn’s health. Even a ½-inch layer of thatch can cause problems. Here’s why: A thick layer of thatch can prevent water, oxygen, and essential nutrients from reaching your lawn’s root system.
2. Grass is Thinning
Is your grass thinning? There could be several reasons, but compacted soil is one of them. Compact soil prevents roots from growing properly. Aeration loosens the soil and can help improve the health of your lawn.
3. Yellow and Brown Spots on Grass
Are there discolored areas on your lawn? Yellow and brown spots are indicators that your lawn doesn’t have the proper nutrients to thrive — compact soil prohibits the grass roots from getting those essential nutrients. If you notice discolored areas in your lawn and the other signs listed in this article, consider aerating and seeding your lawn.
4. Grass No Longer Grows
Has grass stopped growing or is it growing at a slower than usual pace? It’s obvious that your lawn needs essential nutrients to thrive, and fertilizer can provide some. However, fertilizer can also lead to compact soil, making it difficult for new blades of grass to break through.
5. There Are Puddles on Your Lawn
When puddles form on your lawn after light rain, your lawn has poor drainage. Poor drainage is an indication that it's time for aeration. After aerating your lawn, drainage will improve, and puddling will be reduced.
6. Soil is Very Compact
Heavy foot traffic can lead to compact soil. Aerating loosens the soil, helping new grass to grow.
Tip: Another way to check for compact soil is to use the screwdriver test. Grab a screwdriver (or a pencil) and try to stick it into the ground. If it’s difficult, the soil may be compact.
How to Aerate a Lawn
Aerating the lawn involves making small holes in the soil. This allows air to reach the grass's roots, which is an excellent way to prevent common lawn problems, including soil compaction.
There are two main ways to aerate:
Manual aerators: Garden forks with prongs can be pushed into the ground to make holes in the soil.
Powered aerators: These machines have spikes or blades that rotate. Penetrating the soil with powered aerators is an excellent method of loosening compact soil.
Experience Quality Service. The Difference...Is Growing
The soil in Southern California leans towards being rugged and compact. Aeration will allow your soil to "breathe" and help your lawn thrive. If the lawn in your HOA community, apartment community, or other commercial property has seen better days, call us at 760-650-3120 or message us online for a free quote.
Let's work together
Do you have a landscaping project in mind? is it time for a new HOA landscaping company? Westturf Landscape can help. We offer a wide range of services, from synthetic turf installation to weed and brush clearance and complete landscape transformations. When it comes to quality, efficient landscaping services, we have you covered.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Westturf Landscape Management
701 Mercantile Street
Vista, CA 92083
Phone: 760.650.3120