May is a great month to help your lawn move forward by aerating and seeding it afterward, often called overseeding. This is normally a great time to aerate because the moisture content in the soil is high, allowing wonderful plugs to be removed by the assistance of deeper penetration by the machine. Dry, compacted soil is very difficult to aerate even with professional grade equipment. While you can rent small aerators, they are not the same in terms of weight, width, and tine health (length of the steel hollow spikes). I maintain new tines on our machines that are key in breaking up the soil by removing 1″ diameter plug up to 3-4″ in depth. Why aerate?
Benefits of Aeration.
- Increases moisture penetration
- Enhances oxygen exchange (important for healthy roots)
- Reduces soil compaction (especially soils high in clay)
- Facilitates penetration of fertilizers and other lawn products
- Increases rate of thatch decomposition
- Enhances root development
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