![]() The video is actually longer but I have it set to start near the end so that you can quickly see it in use and the results. This video from YouTube shows a pull behind aerator tool being used and the resulting plugs of soil on the lawn after use. They are especially beneficial to homeowners with large yards or very rural areas where renting and using a gas-powered core aerator would be problematic. Though often not as effective as a dedicated core aerator (more on that later), pull behind aerators can work very well to remove soil cores and reduce compaction. In fact, by adding a quality soil or compost, you are introducing those helpful microbes into your lawn. Again, there is added benefit to backfilling those core holes with quality soil. Aeration breaks up the compaction of the soil to allow air for these little helpers. You see, heavily compacted soil does not allow for air that is necessary for worms and many beneficial bacteria that spend their days and nights working your soil and improving its nutrient quality. Aeration allows a way for the water to flow through the soil instead of just on top of it.Īnother benefit to aeration is in the name itself. Core aeration can help with this by breaking up the compaction of the soil, allowing for better drainage through soil saturation. This is especially true of compacted soils like clay where water can be seen sitting on top of the soil after a rainfall. Shallow root growth is often the result of frequent, short waterings where the water does not effectively soak deeper into the soil. By allowing moisture to more easily soak deep into the soil, you improve the root health of your lawn by encouraging deeper growth. Here’s how aerating the soil can also help to improve drainage by improving that root growth. In fact, that is one of the key steps in my five-step approach to improving clay soil. You can compound the effectiveness of aeration by backfilling the core holes with quality topsoil or compost. Remember this: the quality of your soil determines the health of your lawn.īy aerating, you are removing cores of compacted soil and giving the surrounding dirt room to expand. I have Centipede for example which is more drought tolerant than some grasses but still needs to be able to dig its roots in to really thrive ( source). The impact of this can vary depending on the type of grass you have. Shallow roots make the grass more susceptible to disease, cold weather, and drought. This impairs your lawn’s ability to thrive by limiting the depth of grass roots. When soil is compacted, it can restrict root growth ( source). Improved air movement to encourage beneficial microorganisms.Improved drainage and saturation of water into the soil.Reduced soil compaction to improve deeper root growth.There can be many benefits to aerating your lawn but the key benefits really come down to these three things: But first, let’s get clear on why you should be aerating your lawn in the first place.Ĭheck out the DynaTrap Mosquito & Flying Insect Trap – Kills Mosquitoes, Flies, Wasps, Gnats, & Other Flying Insects – Protects up to 1/2 Acre (link to Amazon). To fully appreciate the benefits of a pull behind aerator, as well as a few pitfalls, I’m going to outline the key features to look for and a couple of tricks to make sure you get the best results possible when using a pull behind aerator. They are a great solution for large yards when attached behind a riding mower. I’ll share what I’ve uncovered but first, let’s deal with the most pressing question of all:ĭo Pull Behind Aerators Work? When properly weighted and designed with spoons vs spikes, pull behind aerators can be very effective at removing cores of soil to decrease compaction and allow for backfilling with nutrient-rich matter such as compost. I’ve studied up on these and learned quite a bit. But you may be wondering if these are effective and really worth your money. That’s what initially attracted me to pull behind aerators that attach to riding mowers. Rental charges add up quickly and pushing a gas-powered core aerator around a large yard will turn your arms to jello. When you have a large yard with compacted clay soil like I do, you need a way to aerate frequently without breaking your back or your pocketbook.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |