Core aeration

 
Hello,

I'm looking at aerating my lawn, as I now have one that's in reasonable
condition and I want to keep it that way.

I was going to start doing it by using a fork but then read that core
aeration's far better, as using a fork actually compacts the soil.  I
then looked into this and saw sites saying that you should leave the
cores on the surface as when they breakdown that helps the lawn.  Then
I also read that you should put sand on afterwards.

So, I've got a few questions that I hoped more knowledgeable people
could answer.


1)  For a normal, garden lawn that's just intended to be a lawn that
looks ok is there really and need to use a core aerator rather than
just using a fork?

2) If I did buy a core aerator, should I leave the plugs it extracts on
the surface like I've heard you should?  I'd have thought that on a
garden lawn I'd end up with a muddy mess if I did that!

3) Is it necessary to apply sand afterwards?  I don't doubt it's better
to do it, but is it essential?


Thanks is advance!  :)




--
Slarti

 On Mon, 26 May 2008 19:27:07 +0100, Slarti


I prefer to core the lawn. I've had better results. Coring IMO allows
more oxygen into the soil.


Don't buy one for just occasional use. Rent it for the (core machine)
day.

I leave the cores on the lawn. They break down over a week or so,
anyway. While the plug holes are open I toss into the lawn the
fertilizer, etc.


While the plugs are open, sand would not hurt. It will help with
drainage; keeping more water on the lawn...less run off.

These methods really improved my lawn.

 
Thanks for the reply - very useful.  I was most unsure about leaving the
plugs on the surface as it's bound to be messy, but if they breakdown
over a week or so then that's not too bad so long as I've cut the grass
beforehand.



'Oren[_2_ Wrote: