Root Environment
Over time many turfgrass soils become compacted and the thatch layer thickens. This inhibits efficient water and nutrient use, diminishing root growth and reduces the overall health of the plants. The best option for reducing compaction and the thatch layer is core aeration.
Turfgrass Aeration page one
Turfgrass Aeration page one
A strong root system is essential for a green, vigorous lawn. Healthy roots require sufficient soil pore space for oxygen and water. Over the years soils become compacted and essential pore space is lost due to traffic, settling, watering practices and gravity.
A strong root system is essential for a green, vigorous lawn. Healthy roots require sufficient soil pore space for oxygen and water. Over the years soils become compacted and essential pore space is lost due to traffic, settling, watering practices and gravity.
Aeration
Once soil is compacted there is insufficient room for oxygen, which drives the metabolic process essential for root growth, water and nutrient optake. As the roots weaken the lawn becomes more vulnerable to disease, instects, weeds and other damage.
Compaction
Clay type soils are more vulnerable to compaction and occurs more quickly than with sandy or loamy type soils. However, even coarse or sandy soils can become compacted. Symptoms indicating compaction include:
Earthworm castings deposited on top of the soil making the turf area lumpy and uneven.
Lawn must be watered longer because the water does not penetrate well and tends to run off quickly.
More fertilizer is needed to keep the lawn green
Brown patches occur quickly in the lawn between watering.
Lawn looks thinner and shows wear sooner.
Weeds become more problematic as the lawn thins and becomes less vigorous.
Thatch
Thatch is dead, decomposing roots and stems located on the soil surface. A thatch layer less than one half inch thick can be beneficial, acting as insulation against solar heating, helping prevent compaction and conserving moisture.
A heavy thatch layer (more than half an inch thick) can be detrimental, reducing water and nutrient penetration, harboring insects and diseases and reducing the overall health and vigor of the lawn.
Compaction and Thatch Control
Core aeration is the practice of making holes by removing plugs of lawn. It can be used on all soil types and is especially beneficial for hard compacted soils. Some advantages of core aeration include:
Aeration
1. Deeper water penetraion into the soil.
2. Increased oxygen in the root zone.
3. Reduced thatch layer.
4. More efficient use of fertilizer and nutrients.
5. Improved and deeper root growth.
6. Reduction of some weeds.
7. Fewer insect and disease problems.
