Compaction is a major issue in maintaining healthy turf grass. High soil density contributes to erosion, weak roots and lack of nutrients. Having compact soil leaves you at risk for erosion and water movement (from rainfall and irrigation systems), which result in needed water not entering the soil and not being absorbed by your turf roots. Also, because of soil compaction, turf roots have a difficult time growing deeper and heat stress can be overwhelming.

Verticutting: This practice utilizes equipment in which blades cut “slices” into the existing lawn which is typically followed by overseeding. In this case, the seeds are able to have more direct contact with the soil leading to higher rates of germination. This method also helps promote lawn density.

Core aeration: This practice utilizes equipment that pull out plugs of the turf and soil of the lawn and can also be followed by overseeding. While verticutting is typically more beneficial in terms of initial seed germination and growth, core aeration provides benefit to the soil itself. Core aeration reduces the density of the soil, which in turn helps infiltration of water and helps nutrients become more evenly distributed to the root systems.

These two processes in combination with overseeding promote your lawn’s growth, density, longevity, and overall health. Our specialist will evaluate your lawn to determine which practices your turf grass would benefit from.

Top Dress: Top dressing is a fine organic material that can be spread thinly over the existing lawn. This supplements when a lawn lacks the organic material it needs to thrive. When paired with overseeding, this offers soil to seed contact, giving a better success rate for germination.

Dethatching: Turfgrass thatch is the decaying material between the turfgrass crowns and the soil. The thatch layer can be beneficial, but when exceeding 1 inch in depth, the absorption of nutrients and water can be affected. The results of thatch build up leads to higher risk of insects and disease. A thin thatch layer is natural and desired, so we will only perform turfgrass dethatching when the practice is truly beneficial. Our expert team will evaluate your turf grass and suggest the appropriate practices above to help prevent the buildup of your lawns thatch layer!