Does liquid lawn aeration really work?
Liquid aeration is a modern way to improve soil compaction and health. It doesn’t disrupt the soil, is easy to apply, ensures even coverage, and encourages better long-term soil health. However, it can also take longer to work, cost more, and can be ineffective if used incorrectly. When you pair liquid aeration and lawn fertilization in the spring, you’ll want to ensure both are done right so you can get the best results. After applying the liquid aeration treatment on your lawn, the general rule is to administer the fertilizer treatment within 48 hours after aerating it.Depending on the soil and weather, it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks for your lawn to fully heal after an aeration service.It may take longer to work, but it often delivers more effective results (and you don’t have ugly plugs on your grass). Liquid aeration is usually recommended for warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine) or lawns with mild to moderate compaction issues.Yes, it is possible to overseed after liquid aeration. The new seed will have an easier time germinating in the newly aerated soil, leading to a thicker and healthier lawn. Additionally, ensure fertilizing your lawn regularly to ensure optimal growth and health.
Can I do liquid aeration myself?
While you may be tempted to apply liquid aeration treatments to your lawn yourself, it’s not recommended. That’s because you may use the wrong product or one that isn’t as effective as another, you may not apply enough to your lawn, or you may apply it at the wrong time. You can over-aerate. Over-aerating your lawn can stress out your lawn and leave you with uneven soil. Even though it can be damaging to over aerate your lawn, it is actually quite difficult to aerate too much. It is recommended to have your lawn aerated once or twice a year.You want to aerate the lawn when your grass is in its peak growing period so it can recover quickly—think early spring or fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer for warm-season grasses.On the other hand, one drawback of core aeration is that it can be invasive for your lawn. Because professionals mechanically pull up plugs of soil during this process, it can leave behind holes in the ground where those plugs were removed. As a result, it can stress it out.After aeration, it is best to avoid heavy traffic on your lawn for at least two weeks. The holes created in the soil need time to heal and settle, and heavy traffic can cause further damage to the grass. Avoid parking heavy equipment or vehicles on your lawn during this time.
How often should I apply liquid aeration?
Most lawns need to be aerated at least once a year which is made easy with liquid aeration. For warm-season lawns, it is advisable to wait until late May or June before aerating. Aeration only is done for warm-season lawns—seeding is not needed. Aerating your lawn is best during these months because this is when your warm-season turf first comes out of dormancy and is actively growing.Disadvantages of Liquid Aeration: If you have a lot of thatch in your lawn, liquid aeration may not be as useful for the lawn. This is used more when you are trying to loosen up the soil, not when you are trying to eliminate a thick layer of thatch.Help Prevent Fungus in Grass with Aeration Lawn aeration uses a machine to pull out plugs of soil, creating spaces so that air and water can penetrate, which also leads to healthier roots. Healthier roots make for a healthier, thicker lawn, better able to resist diseases and tolerate summer’s heat and drought.Should I Fertilize or Aerate First? In most cases, aerating is best before laying fertilizer as it allows for more oxygen and deeper growth of grass roots. If you have compact soil or clay soil, it is especially crucial to aerate before so that the fertilizer reaches deeper roots.After Aeration Overseed and Fertilize Immediately after aeration, your lawn is ripe for overseeding and fertilizing. The holes provide excellent soil exposure for seeds and deliver fertilizer directly to the roots of your grass. For best results, use high-quality seed and fertilize with Milorganite®.
Do I need to water after liquid aeration?
Following the Liquid Aeration treatment, the lawn will need to be thoroughly watered afterward and for the next two weeks for best results. However, you may wonder how long it takes to start seeing results after this treatment. Well, it can take anywhere from 1-2 months, as it is a slow burn that gradually improves the soil over time rather than yielding near-instant results. Because of this, the effects will last longer, too!It’s important to note that it’s a slow burn, meaning it gradually improves the soil, so it can take anywhere from 1-2 months after the application to notice the results. However, the effects can last for months.However, results don’t happen overnight, and it can take anywhere from 1-2 months to start noticing the effects. However, around this time is when you’ll see your lawn grow healthier and greener!