How To Let Your Lawn Breathe Again

Air, nutrients, and water are extremely important for the root systems of your grass and plants. In dense soil, however, they can have a tough time reaching the roots. In addition to dense soil, thatching is another common lawn problem that can potentially choke the grasses in your garden. If either of these conditions persist, the air and moisture will slowly get squeezed out of the soil. Your plants and grasses in your garden will become progressively weaker at they begin to starve and eventually your grasses will die.

Even in the best of circumstances, with you giving your lawn the best care, it's inevitable that at some point in time your lawn will become more compacted. yards are constantly trampled on by people, animals, equipment, and so on. Over the years, unless something is done, naturally the soil will become more compacted and hard.

To improve the situation, you have two main options open to you. You can till the lawn which will be a big job, even in a small lawn. Or you can use a lawn aerator to create air pockets in your soil that will allow nutrients to reach the grass and plant roots.

Core aeration is an intense technique of breaking down your soil and creating air pockets in it. Core aeration creates deep, finger sized holes in your lawn. In the process it breaks through the thatching and ventilates the soil. Core aeration is one of the more natural and beneficial things you can do for your lawn in order to give it additional air space and ensure that it remains healthy.

If your lawn is small or medium sized, a hand aerator machine will do the job with no problem. Or, if you prefer to get a good physical workout at the same time, you can buy yourself a pair of aerator sandals. These are nothing more than regular sandals with spikes attached to the bottom. As you stroll around your yard or garden, you simultaneously poke holes in it. Of, if you don't want to do it yourself, get a pair for your children. They'll love it. But any shoe with spikes will do fine - even spiked golf shoes.

If, however, you have a huge yard, you should seriously consider visiting your local garden center and either renting or buying an engine powered aerator.

But don't think that buying or renting a garden aerator is your only choice. Many lawn care services already have aeration equipment and will be more than happy to provide this service for you. In fact, core lawn aeration is becoming so popular that many lawn care services offer it as a regular part of their maintenance plans. If the price is right, you may get more value for your money by going this route. Simply check with your neighbors and local garden equipment supply shop for references.

Companies that provide lawn care products are not standing still either. For the really lazy gardener, and in what sounds too good to be true, some companies have come up with spray-on lawn products that they claim will aerate and dethatch your lawn with no physical effort on your part what so ever.

Whichever route you end up taking, realize that periodically giving your lawn a good airing out, will not only improve its appearance but will help to keep it healthy for years to come.

Alex Murphy writes for http://www.lawncaregurus.com and is always looking for ways to improve his lawn. Visit his site and read more about fall lawn care advice and other lawn related articles.