Aerating Your Lawn This Summer
The summer heat can be a challenging season for gardens and crops, even in the most ideal conditions. When air circulation and soil moisture are inadequate, not only can plants suffer from a lack of nutrients, but the threat of pests, diseases, and decreased growth can occur. To avoid these issues, it’s important to consider aeration when growing in the summer. Aeration can improve soil drainage, help oxygen circulate better in the soil, and help keep your plants healthy. Here are some aeration techniques from your trusted lawn weed control expert to use this summer:
Coring
Coring is probably the most popular aeration method for the summer season. This method uses specialized equipment to remove plugs or “cores” of soil, creating pathways for the air to circulate. The cores are then left on the surface of the soil where they break down, allowing the soil to reclaim its fertility. Core aeration works especially well in compacted or highly trafficked areas, and helps reduce weed, disease, and pest pressure on plants.
Hand/Shoveling
Using hand tools or a shovel is a great way to aerate densely compacted soils. Hand or shovel aeration involves creating small, shallow holes into the soil at a consistent depth. These holes create pathways for air to travel and promote drainage, ultimately improving the soil’s ability to support plant growth.
Grasscycling
Grasscycling is a lesser-known, but incredibly effective aeration technique. Rather than bagging and disposing of grass clippings, grasscycling allows clippings left on the lawn to serve as a natural aerator. These clippings act like little prongs that punch through the soil and promote air and water circulation. To grasscycle safely, make sure to mow your lawn regularly and mulch your clippings effectively.
Aeration is an incredibly important part of maintaining healthy and productive gardens and lawns during the summer. By utilizing one or more of these aeration techniques, you can ensure that your plants get the oxygen, nutrients, and water they need to thrive. With a bit of extra effort, your lawn or garden will be looking its best this summer season.
A reliable lawn weed control expert like Valentine Landscaping of Avondale can definitely help you have a weed-free lawn. Our services can be availed of by those in Avondale, AZ. Feel free to call us at (623) 526-3015 for inquiries.
