Lawns sometimes get ragged and worn out. What could be the cause? Oftentimes, it’s due to soil compaction and thatch build-up. Both issues hinder the ability for water, air, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil to reach grass roots. Roots can even begin to suffocate when soil is compacted. The good news is you can open up your lawn – and help it breathe easier – with aeration services from the Lehigh Valley PA area’s experts at Sunlight Water and Us.

How Lawn Aeration Works

There are two ways to approach aeration. The first simply uses spikes on a roller. The second, called core aeration, actually punches out plugs of soil and thatch throughout your lawn. This, in turn, minimizes soil compaction and makes more space for air, fertilizer, and water to flow freely into the soil. As a result, your lawn will begin to grow deeper and stronger roots. It will also be able to better tolerate heat and drought. Best of all, your grass will start looking thicker and more luscious in the weeks and months following aeration.

Signs Your Lawn Needs Aeration

If you’re not an experienced lawn care technician, it can be hard to know the signs to look out for that signify compaction and thatch overgrowth. Some of the most common indications that Lehigh Valley PA area homeowners can look for when considering lawn aeration include:

  • Weak and spotty growth in areas
  • Standing water that runs off into puddles, rather than getting absorbed into the lawn
  • A lawn made up of heavy clay soils, which are prone to compaction
  • Regularly parking vehicles on your lawn

You can also perform the screwdriver or shovel test to check for compaction. This simply involves taking a screwdriver or shovel and plunging it into the ground. If it’s hard to do – and you have to struggle to get it in – it’s a sign your soil is compacted and needs to be aerated.

When to Perform Lawn Aeration

As Lehigh Valley PA area’s lawn care experts, Sunlight Water and Us out of Easton PA knows you won’t see optimal results if you don’t time aeration correctly. In fact, you could wind up causing damage to your lawn. For warm season grass, like Buffalo and Bermuda, the best time to aerate is in the late spring. For cool season grass, such as ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass, aim to aerate in the fall or the early spring. That way, aeration is performed just before the active growth cycle, so holes will fill in quickly.

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FAQs About the Best Core Aeration Sussex County, NJ, Offers

The price for lawn aeration depends on the size of your lawn and the service used. For example, core aeration is ideal for large properties with severely compacted soil, so it’s more expensive.

Sussex County, NJ, residents should be aware that core aeration has many advantages. Fertilizer, air, and water can get to the root zone faster, and you’ll reduce soil compaction and thatch.

If you don’t aerate the lawn, it will look dull and weak. Compacted soil will lead to weeds and significant damage. Once you’ve taken care of that, we can determine what other services you need, such as lawn fertilization, mowing, and pest control.

Lawn aeration should be done once per year, but there are times when it’s required more often.

Sussex County, NJ, residents should be aware that lawn fertilization is best completed after lawn aeration. This helps the grass roots absorb the nutrients when the fertilizer is put on.

No. We recommend that you wait six months for the grass seed to take hold before aerating the lawn.

Lawn aeration is crucial for all types of lawns. 

It offers:

Helps Your Lawn Breathe More Easily

Compacted soils will impede the movement of nutrients, water, and air. Therefore, the lawn accumulates thatch because there’s less oxygen for earthworms to eat.

Reduces Moss and Thatch Build-Up

Thatch will accumulate quickly on compacted soils. When it becomes a problem, you’ll have a weakened root system. Likewise, you may introduce disease and insects into the lawn and roots.

Lawn care is more than just using fertilizer. We can help those bare areas shine by incorporating lawn aeration and overseeding. The aeration will reduce compaction, and overseeding introduces the new grass.

Typically, we recommend lawn aeration and overseeding to those who have lawns with weak-looking or yellowing grass.

Lawn aeration focuses on removing plugs and puncturing the lawn to create holes that loosen the soil and help water and air penetrate deep within the grass to give more nutrients. This will keep your space green and offer healthy roots. 

Compacted soil will prevent water and air from circulating. This hinders the equal distribution of the nutrients into your lawn. Overall, this is a great lawn care service that could boost your home’s value!

Yes! Lawn care is crucial for beautiful lawns, and we can help you deal with water movement, bare spots, and new seed. Aeration is one part of the entire process. Please call for a free quote now!

We always say it’s never too late or soon to improve the appearance and health of your lawn. Lawn care is for everyone, and we’ll use the best technicians and equipment to do the job right.

Typically, it’s best to aerate a cool-season lawn in early fall or late summer. However, if you have Tall Fescue grass seed, you’ll want to do it in the early fall and reseed, as well. Contact us for a free quote to ask questions and learn about the process.

Currently, we do not serve the Orange County area.