The Ultimate Guide to
Lawn Core Aeration
in St. Louis
ARE YOU ENVIOUS OF THE LUSH, THICK LAWNS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
Achieving and maintaining a beautiful lawn is attainable with proper care. As a leading lawn care provider in St. Louis, Missouri, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to lawn care, focusing on core aeration. This guide is your one-stop resource for achieving and sustaining a stunning lawn.
UNDERSTANDING AERATION
Regular activities like walking, playing, and enjoying your lawn can compact the soil, weakening grass roots. Soil compaction prevents proper airflow, water absorption, and nutrient delivery to grass roots, leading to an unhealthy, sparse lawn. Core aeration breaks up soil compaction, promoting healthy grass growth and vibrant, long-lasting lawns.
BENEFITS OF LAWN AERATION
Relief from Soil Compaction: Aeration alleviates soil density, ensuring grass roots receive essential nutrients.
Enhanced Lawn Health: Aeration allows roots to grow and flourish, reducing thatch buildup and disease susceptibility.
Improved Water Runoff: Over time, aeration minimizes water runoff, making your lawn more drought and heat resistant.
ADVANTAGES OF FALL
CORE AERATION & OVERSEEDING
Core aeration involves removing soil cores, allowing better air, water, and nutrient circulation. Spike aeration doesn't offer the same benefits as core aeration.
WHY CHOOSE
CORE AERATION
The cool temperatures and active grass growth make it the right time.
Incorporating overseeding into your fall core aeration routine is a strategic move for achieving a thicker, healthier, and weed-resistant lawn. This combined effort maximizes the benefits of both practices, setting the stage for a visually appealing and resilient lawn in the seasons to come.
Heavy Use:
Lawns with heavy foot traffic or construction need aeration to prevent compaction
IDEAL TIME FOR CORE
AERATION IN ST. LOUIS
Enhanced Weed Control:
Conducting aeration and overseeding in the fall reduces weed competition by providing grass with a better chance to establish itself before weeds take hold in the spring.
Seamless Overseeding:
Fall's conducive environment supports successful overseeding. After core aeration, the loosened soil offers an ideal bed for new seeds, aiding their germination. This combined approach improves the chances of new grass growth and fills in thin areas.
Lush Spring Growth:
When fall core aeration is followed by overseeding, the grasses have ample time to develop strong root systems before winter. This growth advantage translates into a more vibrant and lush lawn come spring.
Thatch Reduction:
Core aeration's soil plugs break down over time, assisting in thatch decomposition. This natural process helps improve the overall health of the lawn and minimizes the buildup of dead grass material.
DETERMINING AERATION NEED
However, if soil compaction is severe, aeration might be necessary regardless of the season.
Adequate soil moisture is crucial for effective aeration.
Fall is optimal for core
aeration in the Midwest.
Shovel Test:
Difficulty penetrating the soil with a shovel indicates compaction and the need for aeration
Poor Drainage:
Puddles after rain indicate compaction and a need for aeration
Spongy Lawn Feel:
If your lawn feels soft and the soil dries quickly, aeration might be necessary
Excessive Thatch:
Thatch over half an inch deep indicates aeration could be beneficial
Layered Soil:
Layers of soil can lead to poor drainage and compaction, necessitating aeration