Every year we work with hundreds of Calgarians who want their lawn to look beautiful. They know that lush green grass means watering deeply, mowing frequently, and fertilizing. But all that great work isn’t worth much if your grass can’t benefit.
Due in part to the Calgary climate and the type of soil we have, the ground can get very, very hard. If you have kids or pets who run around on your lawn, your soil is likely even more compact than usual. Rain and sprinkler water often just rolls along the surface straight towards the road and gutters instead of being absorbed into the dirt. This makes it very difficult for water, oxygen, and fertilizer to reach the roots of your grass. Fortunately, there’s a solution.
Aerating in Early Spring is ideal for lawns in cooler climates like Alberta. You’ll want to wait until your grass is already starting to come in and looking at least a little green. This means your grass is healthy enough to fill in the gaps from aeration. You’ll also want to make sure the dirt isn’t too dry. We recommend aerating the day after it has rained, or if you’ve scheduled your aeration with a Calgary landscaping company like Five Star; just make sure you water deeply the day before we come to aerate.
Don’t Worry About Your Pesticides or Herbicides.
Often we hear from Calgarians who are worried that aerating will mean their lawn has more weeds. They feel that if there are holes in the soil, it’ll be easier for weed seeds to infiltrate and start growing. This is actually a question that’s interested scientists as well, and they’ve done research! Aerating does not increase the number of weeds. It won’t destroy or bother any herbicide or fertilizer you use before the aeration, and since your lawn will be growing stronger and healthier because of better water and nutrient access, your grass will be in a good position to out-compete any weeds.
After Aerating.
The little plugs of soil that are all over your lawn should be left to dry out. After they’re dry, it’s time to break them up to give your lawn a more uniform look. The easiest way to do this is to simply mow the lawn. The mower should break up the plugs without much trouble. After this first mowing to break up the plugs, begin to water, fertilize, and mow the lawn normally.
Aerating is one of the best ways to make sure your soil isn’t too compact. It allows your plants’ roots to breathe and to access the air, water, and minerals the lawn needs. Of course, not every lawn needs to be aerated. Which is why it’s a good idea to talk with an expert landscaper first. If you’re wondering whether your lawn would benefit from aeration, contact Five Star Landscaping today! We’d be happy to answer your questions or to schedule you an appointment.
