You may be unsure about the need to aerate a lawn after it’s been rolled. The majority of turf professionals and horticulturists will recommend aerating before rolling. As it is, rolling is meant to flatten the lawn and press in seed, but it leads to soil compaction. In this process, the soil particles get compressed. The vital pore space required for nutrients, air, and water to move freely within the soil is reduced. In compact soil, the grass roots cannot grow deeply and soak in vital nutrients and water. This leads to a shabby, unhealthy lawn.
Studies have shown that grass root growth remains average in compacted soil. Compacted soil hampers normal root development. When you aerate the soil after rolling, the plugs of soil created may get flattened. This will affect the compaction adversely and reverse the good effects of aerating.
Soil compaction happens when the soil particles get pushed closer together. This effectively reduces the space available for air and water to seep in. This, in turn, can affect lawn health adversely, slowing down root growth and causing thatch buildup. Thatch is a layer of organic material between the soil surface and grass blades. Studies suggest that compacted soil may reduce grass root development by as much as 50%.
Core aeration, which involves removing small plugs of soil, is thought to be more useful than spike aeration to counter compaction. This process helps create pathways for nutrients to reach the root. Data obtained from numerous sources reveals that core aeration may help in boosting water infiltration rates by as much as 30%.
A major university study focusing on turfgrass revealed an encouraging trend. It showed that Kentucky bluegrass lawns experienced a 22% increase in nutrient absorption compared to untreated lawns after undergoing early fall core aeration. Post aeration, you should apply a thin layer of compost to the soil. This helps improve soil structure and reduces the possibility of compaction, along with improving overall soil health. This makes the lawn more resilient.
When you plan to roll your lawn, try to aerate beforehand to reduce the adverse effects of compaction. This is more effective when you want to prepare a seed bed. Besides, you may use a lighter roller to thwart excessive compaction. Increase the weight gradually if it is required. The reality is Lawn rolling will not resolve all your lawn issues. Excessive rolling may cause other problems. This may cause yellowing of the grass and root weakening.
According to expert opinion, most domestic lawns can do without rolling and the drawbacks often outweigh the benefits. In other words, you need to aerate the lawn before rolling, focus on core aeration, and use quality compost to make your lawn healthy, and vibrant.
