Lush Green Autumn Turf
Bergen County Property Maintenance
almost PERFECT Autumn Lawn Care
Most of strive for lush, green fertile lawn that feels oh so good between your toes walking out for the paper Saturday morning through the fresh dew. Well with some tender loving care to your lawn’s subsoil you can have it. And now is the time to do it!!!
Fall is considered by many to be the best time for aeration of cool season turf, as the plants are busy enhancing their root zones in preparation for winter. In cool regions, the aeration opens up the root zone, promoting this new root growth, and when aeration is combined with overseeding, or the application of slow-release fertilizer, it helps the turf through winter weather and readies it for new growth in the spring. Hardly anyone thinks about the dirt the grass grows in, but the health of the soil is a key component to a great lawn. Grass does best in soil that drains well and has a rich, loamy texture.
Poor soil invites many lawn problems, including weak growth, which makes the grass subject to damage from insects, disease or weather conditions. If the soil is compacted or made of heavy clay, it may not drain properly. If it’s sandy or silty, it won’t hold water and will dry out too quickly.
It used to be thought that it was critical to perform fall aeration early enough that it had plenty of time to “heal” after aeration. While this practice is preferable, researchers at Purdue University note that aerification as late as November 
can help alleviate compaction issues with minimal side effects.
How can you tell if turf needs to be aerated? Typically, the best way to determine aeration need is to pull core samples to check thatch depth and compaction layers. You’ll want to be sure to pull at least three inch plugs to get a clear picture of the situation. If you observe a thatch layer of more than one-half inch, aeration will be beneficial to help break down the excess thatch.
Additionally, watering and weed growth can be valuable in determining the need for aeration. If water is pooling where it didn’t before, it could be due to compacted soil keeping water from infiltrating through the soil. Certain weeds such as goose grass, annual bluegrass or prostrate knotweed often inhabit compacted areas. In places without direct sunlight, moss and algae growth can be an indicator compacted soil.
If a property has not been aerated in more than one year, you can safely assume that aeration will help alleviate any compaction that exists, and will help promote the growth of healthy, lush turf.
Don’t know who to turn to. Check out our reviews on Google. Have any questions or concerns about lawn aeration, give us a call at 201-389-6979. We’ll be glad to assist you.
