Soil Compaction: Diagnosing and Treating
Compacted soil makes it harder for you lawn to recieve all the necessary nutrients and water.
Soil compaction is a potentially deadly problem for lawn grass. Compaction is a factor in every type of soil, though some types are more prone to compaction problems than others. There are some routine lawn maintenance activities that will help you alleviate soil compaction and keep your grass growing strong.
Why is Soil Compaction a Problem?
Soil contains many different elements, including air, water, mineral particles, organic matter, insects, worms, nutrient particles and other elements. Each of these elements work together like finely calibrated parts of a machine to grow healthy plants. Whenever one of the elements is out of balance, the entire function of soil is disrupted, thus impacting the health of plants growing in the soil. Compaction of soil is just like compaction of anything else-a literal “squashing” of the soil particles together. When soil particles are compacted together, the structure is impacted. Soil structure determines how much space is available for air and water movement in the soil. Compaction removes spaces for air and water, making both less available for plants.
How can you tell if Soil is Compacted?
A very easy way to tell if your soil is compacted is if it is hard. Soil that is not compacted will have a springy feel. Compacted soil is not springy. If it is difficult to put a shovel into the soil, it is probably compacted. Lawn grass does not grow well in compacted soil, and weeds out-compete and thrive. Areas with a lot of weed problems are likely compacted. Lastly, if the soil is in an area with heavy foot or vehicle traffic, it is undoubtedly compacted.
How to Alleviate Soil Compaction
Though soil compaction is a serious problem, the methods to alleviate soil compaction are fairly straightforward, and involve aerating and top-dressing with light compost or organic matter. Here’s how to do it:
- Mow the lawn about 1/3 shorter than you would normally mow.
- Water the lawn deeply at least twice, a few days before aerating.
- Aerate with a punch core aerator (not a spike aerator).
- This part of soil compaction alleviation is best done by a professional. Professional lawn maintenance companies are more likely to have a punch core aerator in good working condition, and have the skills and strength to work with it.
- Top-dress with a lightweight compost and rake it into the lawn.
- Continue to water and mow as normal.
When you follow these steps to aerate, you will add organic matter into the soil and encourage growth and activity of insects and invertebrates that will further break down and improve soil structure. Once you have alleviated soil compaction problems, your lawn will be healthier, include fewer weeds, and will require less maintenance in the long run.
