Do liquid aerators really work?
Liquid aeration can alleviate mild to moderate compaction – if applied correctly and as often as the manufacturer recommends. If your soil is heavily compacted, core aeration may be the only way to break up the soil and create space for air, water, and nutrient movement. Step 1. Preparing for Aeration. Aerating your lawn begins by preparing the area. Ideally, you should water the lawn at least a day or two before aeration; you should add at least one inch of water to the soil to make it easier for the aerator to penetrate the soil and pull out the cores.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.Manual aeration methods can only penetrate about three inches deep into the soil. While this is good enough to see some results, liquid aeration can reach much deeper. With liquid aeration, the solution can reach around a foot below the surface.Expert Tips for Maximizing Liquid Aeration Benefits Mowing your lawn to the recommended height for your grass type before applying liquid aeration will allow the treatment to penetrate more effectively into the soil.
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. Begin by mowing your lawn as short as possible and removing debris and dead grass. Then apply a generous dose of grass seed to sparse lawn areas before applying the liquid aeration. Follow the overseeding with the liquid aeration treatment.Following the Liquid Aeration treatment, the lawn will need to be thoroughly watered afterward and for the next two weeks for best results.Hire a Pro. Liquid aeration seems easy, but it’s not recommended by most lawn experts. Core aeration is the best mechanical treatment, even overtaking spike aeration. The holes created by the aerator’s hollow tines allow more oxygen, nutrients, and water to reach the grass roots.Unfortunately, aeration also has the potential to damage your lawn, especially if you’re not experienced or good at manoeuvring the heavy aerator machine. You could tear large holes in your grass that need to be filled in, or you could compact your lawn and soil even more by pushing the aerator over soft areas.
What not to do after aeration?
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. 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.Core aeration is generally preferred for cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass) or lawns with severe compaction issues.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.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.SEEDING: You can apply Covington Liquid Lawn Aerator solution to new seeds before or after applying planting. WATER: After initial application give it a good soak unless you used a hose end sprayer. Then come back in 6-24 hours and water again with a good soak (do not create any run off or puddling).
What chemical is used for liquid aeration?
Different from mechanical, liquid aeration is accomplished by introducing a humic acid solution on top of the soil to break down and loosen compacted soil particles. The humic acid solution is mixed with water and then applied evenly across the affected area of turf. 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. If you have high-traffic areas or heavy clay soil, you will want to aerate every year.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.Most lawns need to be aerated at least once a year which is made easy with liquid aeration.Aerating a lawn with a rolling spike aerator is quicker and easier than using a garden fork, but still requires quite a lot of effort, so is best used on small lawns.Core aeration also breaks up the thatch layer, which consists of dead organic matter between the soil and grass, which can cause problems for your lawn if it becomes thick enough.
How much does a liquid aeration system cost?
For larger lawns, you could expect to pay $300 or more. Liquid aeration does not require a special machine or operators, so the cost is less. You can expect to pay $175 – $200 for a professional liquid aeration service for an average size lawn. 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.Liquid aeration leaves no holes or soil plugs on your lawn like core aeration, so no cleanup is necessary afterward. Plus, you’re not disturbing the soil or grass. As a less invasive process, there’s less risk of grass damage. Your lawn can grow thick, healthy, and lush with minimal stress.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.During the fall, your lawn is preparing for winter, which means it’s enhancing its roots. Aerating your lawn will help your lawn to increase root growth and allows your lawn to breath and minimize thatch build up but also to improve your seed to soil contact.
Which type of aeration is best?
The best method for aeration, by far, is a Core Aeration. And in today’s technologically-advanced world machine aerators are becoming even more advanced. Still, nothing can beat the standard CORE AERATION machine that lawn services use and that you can rent from home improvement stores. Seeding right after aeration is widely recommended. The small holes created by the aerator are ideal for trapping grass seeds, which gives them direct contact with the soil. The contact promotes improved germination rates and helps establish a thicker and healthier lawn.Preparing Your Lawn for Aeration To maximize the benefits of liquid aeration, some preparation is necessary: Hydration: Water your lawn a day or two before aeration to soften the soil. Mowing: Trim your lawn to a manageable height to allow the aeration solution to penetrate effectively.It’s best to fertilize right after aerating and seeding, allowing the fertilizer to sink into the aeration holes ensuring deeper soil penetration. Proper fertilization encourages a lush, green, healthy lawn that stands out and offers a beautiful outdoor space for relaxation and play.For highly compacted soil or soil that hasn’t been aerated in more than a year, make two passes with the aerator: one following your mowing pattern, and the second at an angle to the first. Aim to create 20 to 40 holes per square foot.
Is there a downside to aerating?
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. Once the core aeration process is finished, the cores will remain on your lawn until they eventually decompose. Some people don’t know what to do with them, but it is recommended that you just leave them on your lawn to naturally decompose.The holes are typically 1. So, what exactly does aeration do? It allows for air circulation at the root level of your lawn. This provides the optimal soil condition for healthy grass and growth.Core aeration removes plugs of soil to allow deeper penetration of water and nutrients, encourage root development, and break up thatch. It’s best for cool-season lawns and works well before overseeding.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®.Liquid aeration is known for its ease of application, minimal disruption to the lawn, and ability to cover the entire lawn without missing spots. However, it may not be as effective for heavily compacted soils as core aeration, which physically removes plugs of soil, providing immediate relief for compaction.