![]() If you’re wondering how to aerate your lawn, you may be confused by what the difference is between aerating and dethatching. Traditionally people have viewed thatch as something to be cut away or removed entirely however, it’s actually an important part of your lawn!Ī layer of healthy thatch makes sure water doesn’t drain too quickly through your grass if there isn’t enough moisture held in this layer then there may be dry patches or areas where no grass grows at all. When you aerate your lawn, you also remove thatch, giving it more space to grow healthily. It also prevents water from penetrating into the soil as effectively as it should. Thatch can restrict water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots. Thatch is a layer of dead grass, roots, and other organic material that accumulates on the lawn. Likewise, if it receives a lot of foot traffic, has puddles or bare patches, or is growing in clay soil, then you should aerate. However, if your lawn has 1.5 cm+ of thatch, or has a spongy feel to it when walked on, it will likely benefit from dethatching and aeration. If your grass is growing well in sandy or silt soil, has good colour and doesn’t have a spongy feel when walked on, you might not need to worry about aeration. Not all lawns are created equal, and some will not benefit from aeration. Nutrient uptake: Aerating your lawn allows nutrients (including fertiliser) to be more easily absorbed by the soil, which feeds the grass’s root system.By aerating your lawn you increase its ability to absorb water more quickly and evenly throughout the soil column. This means that grass roots will not receive enough water for healthy growth. Water penetration: If water cannot penetrate the soil, it will pool on top of it.Why aerate your lawn?Īerating your lawn can improve its overall health and prevent weeds, compaction and other issues. Silt soil sits in between these two and will benefit from aeration if it has been compacted. Sandy soils are more porous and can hold more air than clay soils, so they don’t compress as easily. Sandy soil has fewer issues with compaction, so aeration is not as important. This makes it harder for water, air, and nutrients to penetrate. There are three main types of soil in Australia, and each requires different amounts of aeration: clay soil, sandy soil and silt soil.Ĭlay soils tend to need more frequent aeration than sandy soils because they compact more easily. However, they are easier for most people to use. While spike aerators create a narrow opening in your soil, improving air and water flow, they also compact the soil around the hole in the process. Often people find that the soil gets blocked inside the tool and requires frequent manual clearing. Plug aerators are more effective at improving the water penetration and airflow in your soil, but they can be harder to use. Plug aerators remove a core of soil from your lawn, while spike aerators create narrow holes. Lawn aerators generally fall into the categories of plug aerators or spike aerators. Aerator shoes: These are a type of shoe attachment that have spikes on the bottom so they can dig into the soil as you walk with them. ![]() ![]() Rolling core aerators eject plugs of dirt after each pass. They have wheels affixed underneath them so they can roll across your yard while simultaneously probing down into its surface with either spikes or blades. ![]()
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