Why is it Important to Aerate and Fertilize Your Lawn?
A green lawn is a beautiful oasis in the desert. But once it is growing and lush, is it possible to keep it that way?
Two of the best things you can do for your lawn is to aerate it and fertilize it. The combination of these will give you the best chance of enjoying your hard work all season long. Otherwise, that green oasis might end up being just a mirage.
Aeration
Aeration is performed by a machine that penetrates the soil, pulling out small plugs and leaving minimal holes in the yard. Though this might seem counterintuitive, it is the best way to combat soil compaction and its consequences. When a yard is frequently used by family or pets, for example, the soil is packed down. This compression of the soil pushes out oxygen and leaves very little room for water and nutrients to enter. The soil under the grass is no longer able to supply oxygen, water or nutrients to the grass roots and the lawn slowly dies.
When a yard is aerated, space is given back to the soil, allowing air, water and nutrients to reach the roots. Your lawn becomes stronger as the roots can then grow deeper. With your lawnmower, you can easily mow over the dirt plugs that were pulled out during aeration, breaking them up and spreading them evenly back into your grass. The holes in your lawn will close on their own and you will enjoy a healthier yard.
The best time to aerate is between May and September and at Green Keeper, we send out a professional aerator technician to do your yard for $55.00/100 square feet. You will reap the benefits of our lawn expertise by aerating your yard whenever is most convenient for you.
Once you have prepared your lawn and rejuvenated its ability to absorb nutrition, it is a good time to fertilize.
Fertilization
Fertilizing is a must once your yard has been aerated. Now that it is able to absorb all of the benefits offered by fertilizer, you will need to choose the best one for our climate. Fertilizers have different grades, or formulas of nutrient mixes. We at Green Keeper believe that the best grade for our soil is a 21-7-14 mix, called Arizona’s Best. The grade will be listed in bold right on the bag, which can be purchased for around $20 for a 20 pound bag at Walmart.
Once the fertilizer is spread, water your lawn watch it thrive!
In Arizona, it takes work to have a yard as beautiful as yours. These simple tips with help you to be the envy of the neighborhood year-round. It is possible to keep your lawn green and lush, a sanctuary from the harsh desert landscape.
