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Core Aeration 
The number one enemy of healthy lawns is compacted soil. Air gets
compressed out of the top layer of soil by children's play, heavy
rains, foot traffic, parked cars, mowing and sometimes construction
equipment. It is vital that the soil be opened up so air can enter
it. That's where core aeration comes in.
Core aeration extracts plugs of soil leaving holes which allow
air into the soil. Eventually, these holes fill with moisture and
organic matter. This adds Nutrients to the soil and provides the
perfect environment for soil organisms to break down organic matter
in the soil thus providing nutrients for plants.
Aerate existing lawns in the spring or fall when temperatures are
cool. This will avoid shocking the lawn. It's also a good idea to
aerate your lawn before overseeding or putting in new sod. If you
do aerate before installing sod, do not use a full weight roller
on it. That will only compact the soil again.
First, mow the lawn at a shorter than usual setting. Then water
the grass to moisten the soil. See your local Southern States dealer
to rent a power core aerator if your lawn is medium to large in
size and you wish to do the job in one day. If your lawn is small,
or you wish to do the job over several days, you can use a hand
core aerator. (We've got those too.) Hand core aerators are great
for aerating in between stepping stones or regular maintenance on
areas that receive lots of foot traffic. If you aerate those areas
regularly, it will keep bare spots from cropping up. For the most
effective aeration, holes should be 3 to 4 inches deep and 4 inches
apart. Leave the soil plugs lying on the lawn. They will gradually
dissolve in the rain providing nutrients to the grass. If they bother
you, you can rake them to break them up and speed decomposition.
This will also help to distribute the soil evenly over the lawn.
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