Why Aerate Your Lawn? Soil Compaction!

Green lawns can make for very inviting outdoor spaces. A stretch of turf can be the perfect place for a picnic, a game of soccer, or a round of tag. But all of that use can cause issues in your lawn’s health in the form of soil compaction.

Now, we’re not saying you should start posting “stay off the grass!” signs in your neighborhood (far from it!). Lawns have their place in landscaping, and they should be enjoyed – not admired from afar. With a little monitoring and some occasional maintenance (see our tips below), you can be active on your lawn without worrying about the dangers of soil compaction.

Why soil compaction matters

Water & nutrient issues

Soil compaction can spell big trouble for your yard (especially areas with turf grass). Pedestrian traffic (from walking or playing) can apply a lot of pressure on the soil beneath the grass. This compacts the soil on a structural level; as soil particles get pressed together, the air between them (called pore spaces) decreases.

As a result, water and essential gasses have a harder time moving between soil particles, making it difficult for plants to stay hydrated and receive oxygen (needed for plant growth) and carbon dioxide (essential for photosynthesis).

Plant roots issues

As plant roots search for water and nutrients, they struggle to move through compacted soil. They can use up a lot of valuable energy pushing through the layers of compacted soil.

In severely compacted soil, plant roots can become stunted and plant growth can lag behind as water and nutrient uptake decreases.

What causes soil compaction?

Ok, so we know soil compaction reduces plant health and limits growth potential. But how does compaction happen in the first place?

• Regularly walking on grass or soil surfaces
• Use of construction equipment (like when homes are built or renovated)
• Actively working wet soils (like tilling or planting in recently watered garden beds [or soils that are saturated from rain or flooding])
• Mowing the lawn
• Heavy snowfall

How to fight soil compaction in your lawn

Lawn aeration

If you want to use your lawn as you please while also preventing soil compaction, the best remedy is lawn aeration (also known as core cultivation).

Lawn aeration involves creating holes or other openings in your soil to allow for a more regular exchange of air, water, and nutrients (all essential for plant health). If your lawn receives a good amount of foot traffic, you should consider aerating it once a year (spring or fall is preferred for most grass types).

Establishing pathways

In addition to aerating your lawn, you could also add designated walking pathways (where it makes sense) to give your grass a rest. Try including stepping stones, flagstone, or tiles in your yard design.

How to aerate your lawn

There's more than one way to aerate a lawn (though one is more universally recommended by landscaping and lawn care experts):

• Plug aeration: Removes plugs (soil cores) from the soil. Plug aerators come in both hand-held or a pull-behind options, and can be purchased or rented.
• Spike aeration: Creates small holes in the soil
• Slice aeration: Slices the soil

Above image: soil plug produced after lawn aeration

Try plug aeration

The right method for you will depend somewhat on your budget and how much time you’re willing to spend to keep your lawn healthy. While DIY options tend to be less expensive than professional aeration services, it will probably require an upfront cost to get the right tools together.

Rachio typically recommends plug aeration because it produces better immediate and long term results. The open spaces left behind from the plugs are instant channels for conducting air, water, and fertilizer. The one drawback to this method is that the soil plugs left behind can be a bit of an eyesore. But these will eventually decompose and return nutrients to your soil, typically making it worth the wait.

If you're not already aerating your lawn, consider adding it to your spring checklist this year!