Look at you, you must have money to burn

#1 - Tips of the Week

#4 -

Some Do's and Don'ts for Spring planting

03/29/12
Newsletter Topics

#2 -

Look at you, You must have money to burn

#5 - Easter is on its Way

#3 -

Brand New 'News' pertaining to Flowering Plants

#6 -

Compaction Relief through Coring/Aerification

Compaction Relief Through Coring/Aerification

The detrimental effect of soil compaction on a variety of soil processes results from the collapse of the large pores in the soil and a loss of soil macroporosity. A compacted soil will exhibit reduced infiltration rates, reduced drainage, and poor soil aeration. Turfgrass plants seek out these macropores in soils as paths of low resistance for soil exploration, so the loss of macropores results in increased mechanical impedance to root growth and a shallow root system. Also, soil compaction results in a less favorable environment for many beneficial soil microbes, earthworms, and arthopods. Soil compaction is one of the most common problems on athletic lawn soils. It forms due to the intense activity of players and also because these soils are infrequently tilled to reduce compaction.

Some degree of soil modification would substantially improve the soil. Historically, the principal goal in soil modification was to replace the existing native soil that typically exhibits cohesive (silt/clay) behavior with a rootzone having properties of a granular (sand) nature. This goal is achieved by establishing sufficiently high sand contents in the rootzone. The recommended sand content for high traffic areas generally exceeds 75% by weight.

In addition to a soil modification program, mechanical cultivation techniques can be adopted that are effective at improving the physical condition of compacted rootzones. Regular core cultivation done throughout the year will keep the lawn free draining and in good shape. Soil cultivation carried out in the fall is sometimes done many times to get maximum results.

Which type of machine is best suited to relieve compaction? In essence, to relieve compaction the soil must be physically displaced to create fracturing so that the same mass of soil occupies a greater volume (e.g. verti-drain, shatter-tine), or the soil must be removed so that a smaller mass of soil occupies the same lawn volume (e.g. hollow core, deep drill).

When is the very best time??

Cultivation is best accomplished when the soil is moist but not wet. Moist soil facilitates deeper penetration of the tines. Cultivators will not effectively penetrate dry, compacted soils. It is suggested that several passes (three or four) be made over the lawn in varying directions, for best results.

There are several key advantages to late fall coring. Coring at this time of year results in considerable freezing and thawing of moisture in the holes, resulting in additional fracturing of the soil and prolific rooting can occur in the coring holes and adjacent fractured soil. This is more beneficial in the late fall than any other time since root growth of cool season grasses is occurring readily with cooler temperatures.

Late season fertilization with high Nitrogen is a good agronon practice to couple with late core cultivation. Lawn food stimulates root growth during the fall, early winter, and the spring. The core holes and adjacent fractured soil provide great open channels for the development of roots. Corrective applications of fertilizer can also be applied at this time to facilitate deeper placement.