10 Signs You Need Lawn Aeration in the Brentwood, TN, Area
Your lawn is an important asset. If your lawn is not a lush, green carpet that’s the envy of the neighborhood—and you’ve tried watering more, fertilizing, and killing weeds—then maybe what’s missing is proper aeration. Here are 10 signs you need lawn aeration in the Brentwood, TN area.
Related: What Is Lawn Aeration and Why Is It Important for Lawn Care Near Me in Columbia, TN?
1. Your lawn sees heavy use. Some lawns are purely decorative, and some are meant to be used. Kids, pets, or other frequent foot traffic can compact the soil. Aeration helps loosen compacted soil to allow water and nutrients to absorb into the soil. But don’t be fooled, even mild foot traffic such as during mowing, can compact the soil. And of course the weight of a riding mower can also compact soil quickly.
2. It’s fall. The soil of lawns that receive a lot of sun tend to bake hard in the heat of summer. Aerating your lawn in the fall will refresh it. Cooler temperatures and more precipitation can rejuvenate a heat-stressed lawn. This is also a great time to seed the lawn—after aerating, of course, to help new grass seeds germinate quickly.
3. Your soil fails the screwdriver test. Sticking a screwdriver, pencil, or sturdy stick into the soil is a quick way to see whether the soil is compacted. If a pointy object won’t go in (do not cheat by doing this after a rain), it could be time to aerate.
4. There’s a heavy thatch cover. Thatch is the layer of dead grass and other organic matter that accumulates at the base of a grass plant. Thatch thicker than ½ inch will prevent water, nutrients, and oxygen from reaching the roots. Aeration helps decompose thatch faster.
5. You have clay soil. Clay soil is very dense and when it’s dry, it doesn’t allow water, nutrients, or air to move through it freely. Breaking up the clay regularly will ensure the health of your lawn.
6. You see patchy, discolored grass. Yellow or brown patches in the grass mean that the grass in these areas is really struggling, usually because not enough water, nutrients, and air are reaching the roots.
7. Thin areas are showing up. Compacted soil doesn’t allow for robust growth. The plants struggle for survival, often sending up weak, thin shoots rather than broad leaves. A lawn can regenerate into a lush carpet if the soil is loosened.
8. Water won’t soak in. Compacted soil means that water puddles on top and won’t soak in; and when it finally does soak in, the soil looks bone-dry a short while afterward. Soil that is saturated won’t absorb water either, but you know it’s saturated because it remains wet for some time. If your soil appears “waterproof” then aeration could be necessary.
9. You often see puddles on the lawn. Compacted soil and possibly poor drainage can contribute to puddles on the lawn. Aeration will help improve drainage. Lawns in shaded areas tend to survive summer better and you may think that the soil won’t be as compact. However, the challenge in poorly draining shaded areas can be too much moisture. Excess moisture can evaporate more easily from the soil if the soil is aerated.
10. Your grass is experiencing poor growth. Instead of automatically assuming that fertilizer is the answer, you may discover that aerating should be the first step toward rejuvenating your lawn. Too much fertilizer can be worse than not enough—but even the correct amount won’t soak into the roots if the soil is compacted.
Related: How Long Does Lawn Aeration Take in Hendersonville, TN, and When Can You Use Your Landscape Again?
About the Author
For over 30 years, our locally operated business has provided comprehensive premium care to lawns in the greater Nashville area. Utilizing high-quality turf, top-of-the-line application equipment, and golf course–grade materials, our technicians bring playing and gathering spaces back to life.
