Soil Compaction
Soil compaction is one of the biggest obstacles we face in Georgia. Compacted soil restricts the movement of air, water, and nutrients into the soil. This can lead to excessive thatch build-up and poor turf quality. Core aeration helps to relieve compaction, break down thatch, and improve the overall health of your lawn.
The Problem with Too Much Thatch
Thatch is a layer of living and dead organic matter that accumulates between the leaf blade and the soil surface. Thatch is a build-up of dead roots, lawn debris, and dead turf crowns. The thatch layer is especially noticeable in Bermuda, Zoysia, and Centipede lawns. Excessive thatch (over 1/2″) creates an environment favorable for pests and disease. Excessive thatch also restricts the movement of water and nutrients into the soil.
Core aeration helps break down the thatch layer naturally. As you’re probably aware, healthy soils are full of microbes. When a lawn is aerated, small plugs of soil (including the microbes) are pulled out and deposited on the surface. The microbes almost immediately start to break down the dead organic layer of thatch. Too much thatch can be disastrous for the health of a lawn and may require an expensive de-thatching process. It is better to keep thatch under control with regular core aeration services.
Lawns should be aerated once a year to prevent soil compaction and thatch build-up. Contact us today to schedule your core aeration service.
Here are some of the benefits of core aeration:
- Relieves soil compaction
- Reduces thatch
- Allows oxygen into the soil
- Improves turf density
- Improves water uptake
- Improves nutrient uptake
- Improves root growth
- Promotes a deeper root system
- Reduces drought stress
- Reduces water runoff
