This weeks turf tip we look at the importance of lawns needing oxygen to encourage growth. Much the same as you, your lawn needs to breathe by taking in oxygen in order to survive.
Why turf requires oxygen
Oxygen uptake is performed through the roots of your turf, so you have to make sure your soil doesn’t get to be compacted. Consistent aeration of the soil especially in common used areas. Consistent aeration of the soil especially in common used areas will assist your soil to contain required oxygen to enhance your grass growth.
Your lawn, along with all plants, absorb carbon dioxide from surroundings. However it needs to get oxygen from the soil. The carbon dioxide is utilised for photosynthesis, though the oxygen is utilised for breath. In view of that, if your soil is compacted, there is most likely insufficient oxygen accessible, which will bring your lawn, and all plant types to a die out stage.
Testing for compacted soil
Proper lawn aeration any place there is heavy traffic on a lawn you run the risk of soil compaction. Compacted soil is never good for the lawn. These areas might be where the family plays cricket, where the laundry is hung or where the cars parked.
All you need for this is either a garden fork or a screwdriver. You simply push it into the ground. The tool should easily go in at least halfway up the tines of the garden fork. If it doesn’t you probably have compacted soil.
Wetting agent
One great tip for better preparing for extreme weather is preparing your soil to take water, to do this you can use a wetting agent. These products work by allowing the soil to open up allowing the water to penetrate evenly throughout the soil profile. This makes watering more efficient, reducing loss through run off and gives your lawn more access to water stores. Wetting agents can be applied from simple hose on applicators, making it nice and easy. In the simplest of terms they get water where it’s needed, in the soil!
Proper lawn aeration
Proper Lawn Aeration Any place there is heavy traffic on a lawn you run the risk of soil compaction. Compacted soil is never good for the lawn. These areas might be where the family plays cricket, where the laundry is hung or where the cars parked.
There are two methods of lawn aeration. One is manual and is used for small spaces and it is simple using a gardening fork to poke even holes over the spot. The other involves using either a coring machine or power aerator. These machines can easily aerate large areas.
Make sure you aerate your soil frequently, especially in common used areas, after a wet climate, or in the event that you have genuinely high clay content in your soil. Your turf will love you for it!
To get more advice on lawn aeration or to order a new lawn call our team on (07) 3114 8281. You can also to pop in and order in person at our sales office on 1/243 Bradman Street, Acacia Ridge. The office opens Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm and Saturday 7am to 12pm.
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