Our yard is about 1700 square feet and I want to say that about 40% of it is weeds and we also have alot of spots were there is nothing growing.. Also in the backyard when you water the lawn the water seems to just bead off. So I was told to aerate the lawn...Will this really help or is there something else that I can do to help with the lawn. Thanks in advance.
2007-05-02 03:43:52 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
First, make sure you do "core aeration" and not just spike aeration for the best benefit to the lawn.
And yes, resoundingly yes, core aeration can do wonders for revitalizing a lawn by cutting out perfect plugs out of your yard to allow water and nutrients to soak deeper into the soil allowing the roots of your turf to grow deeper and deeper, seeking those new deep nutrients.
The end result is a much healthier and stronger lawn that can spend more of it's energy colonization and less on fighting disease and pests.
2007-05-02 03:51:52 · answer #1 · answered by arjo_reich 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree 100% with Joe and "Sensible". Core aeration is one of the best ways to help improve your situation. Just remember to irrigate heavily prior to aerating so the aerator will be able to go deeper into the soil.
Once the aerating is completed, rake the cores up and dispose. The reason for this is that the cores contain weed seeds and if left on your soil, they will create a bigger problem for you. Also, by leaving the cores, they'll eventually break down and fill in the holes left....where you'll encounter the same problem the following year.
You should fill the holes with bagged compost (scatter compost over the soil and fill in by using a push-broom). The compost will allow air and water to penetrate into the soil and also introduce beneficial bacteria and fungi that will help improve the overall health of your lawn. You may want to consider adding some gypsum at this time... which will help loosen up the soil.
Keep your yard watered for a few weeks.... keeping soil moist and not overly wet...to encourage the weed seeds to germinate....then after a few weeks, use a selective post-emergent weed-killer to eliminate them.
You should see an improvement once it's all done. GOOD LUCK!
-Certified Professional Crop Consultant with over 30 year of experience and a Degree in Plant Science
2007-05-02 06:16:35 · answer #2 · answered by jazzmaninca2003 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Joe on this. The water is beading or running off due to hardpack conditions. The water is not reaching the roots of the grass. Neither is any fertilizer you use. Aeration provides a path for the water and nutrients to get to the roots. Even though core aeration is best, I wore my golf shoes when I had a push mower as it made some holes that helped.
2007-05-02 04:47:05 · answer #3 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Above answers are correct. Aeration is critical in your situation. Additionally, there is a sack of minerals you can purchase for hard-packed soils which will tend to break it up. Aerating first then applying the minerals is the best way to go.
2007-05-02 06:16:51 · answer #4 · answered by Querious 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋