Creeping, warm-season turf grasses such as Bermudagrass
and Zoysia are particularly inclined to
build up a layer of thatch. Thatch is an accumulation of dead
leaves, cut grass clippings, dead roots and miscellaneous debris. It settles at
the soil level of the individual grass plants that make up a lawn and prevent
water and nutrients from reaching the roots. Crabapple LandscapExperts recommend Core Aeration as the best way to counteract thatch.
 |
| Hollow tines in Aerator |
What is Core Aeration?
Core aeration is the removal of small cylinders
or “cores” of soil from compacted lawns (especially those with a layer of thatch), creating spaces that allow the rain and
fertilizer applications to soak into the root zone and the roots of the turf to breathe and
expand. The hollow tines of an aeration machine pop out ½ inch diameter tubes
of soil about 3-4 inches long, and deposits them on the lawn where they soon
dissolve.
Spring is Ideal for Core
Aeration of Warm Season Turf
March through July
|
Your Crabapple LandscapExperts Rep can
evaluate your turf and recommend this procedure if needed. Some indicators include: a thatch layer thicker than ½ inch; underlying soil is heavy clay; the
lawn is heavily used causing thin areas; or if the turf is only shallowly-rooted.
The best time to Core Aerate a Bermuda or
Zoysia lawn is March through June/July when warm season grasses are emerging
from winter dormancy and beginning a vigorous period of growth as the soils
warm up. Maximum benefit and fastest recovery occurs when lawns are aerated at this time.
Core aeration is not recommended on
newly-seeded lawns. For complete details contact your Crabapple Rep today to
schedule this beneficial horticultural practice and improve the growth and look
of the lawns on the properties you manage.
Digging Deeper
See Crabapple's other blogs on this important topic:
A Link to Crabapple's Video on Core Aeration:
Don't miss any of the new short landscaping demos and best practices on the CrabappleLandscape YouTube Channel. Subscribe now to be notified when a new video comes online!
No comments:
Post a Comment