What type of roller is best for lawns?
Poly Rollers: Poly rollers, being lighter, cause less compaction and are more suitable for delicate lawns. They are better for small or newly sown lawns where excessive weight could damage grass or seedlings. Steel rollers are usually heavier and do not puncture or wear as easily. They can be filled only with water. Poly lawn rollers can be filled with either water or sand. Some lawn managers have a personal preference for poly lawn rollers, because they feel turning is much easier than with steel lawn rollers.
Are lawn rollers any good?
A roller will smooth out any uneven you can feel under your foot when you step. Like if you have a clump of grass that sits higher than the surrounding soil, it will smooth it out. But it will absolutely not “level” a lawn. You’re not smoothing out 3 inch lumps, or changing the grade. Rolling grass firms the first and second layer of the ground, helping soil compaction. Rolling would also be done to make the ground even. The ground should only be rolled around spring and there should not be frost on the ground. The type of roller should also be taken into consideration; it should not be too heavy.As lawn care experts, we actually never recommend rolling a lawn, and any reputable lawn maintenance company in your area would agree. Using a lawn roller on your lawn in an effort to flatten it never achieves what people expect it to do. You would need a steam roller to be able to effectively smooth out bumps.Use a lawn roller after you seed or sod the yard, after cold winters which caused soil heaving, and to correct small bumpy areas of the lawn. Lawn rolling is also beneficial if you are making a playing turf for putting, croquet or cricket. Other than for these reasons, avoid lawn rolling.
How heavy of a lawn roller do I need?
On most residential lawns you don’t want to use too heavy of a roller. A lightweight roller is usually enough to accomplish the task. A light lawn roller, half filled water roller, or a pedestrian lawn mower roller can be used to firm top dressing and roll after seeding. If you choose a tow-behind yard roller, be sure the equipment you use is able to handle the weight. Powerful tractors or commercial zero-turn mowers may be able to handle large rollers just fine. However, if you are using a consumer-grade mower, it is likely your lawn roller should not weigh more than 300 pounds.
When should you roller a lawn?
Rolling grass firms the first and second layer of the ground, helping soil compaction. Rolling would also be done to make the ground even. The ground should only be rolled around spring and there should not be frost on the ground. The type of roller should also be taken into consideration; it should not be too heavy. Generally rolling will just compact the soil, which isn’t what you want. You’d be better off topdressing and leveling with sand or topsoil.The reason rolling a lawn is a bad idea is because it compacts the soil. Soil is made up of tiny particles. In between these particles, there are spaces or “pores”. These voids are essential for a number of things.Rolling can be a good idea when you first install a new lawn from turf. Although not entirely necessary, it can help create better contact between the new turf sod and the soil surface allowing new roots to better penetrate and help prevent the new turf drying out as much.