Creating a lush, green lawn in Houston comes with a unique set of challenges. Lawns in the Houston area have very little topsoil, especially in newer subdivisions. In addition, the soil here tends to be filled with heavy clay or sand: neither of which are optimal to maintaining a healthy lawn. Regular mowing, watering, and feeding are essential, but aren’t enough on their own. This is where lawn care strategies like aeration and compost topdressing come in.
What is Aeration?
Aeration is the process of creating small perforations in the soil of a lawn. These holes allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeply into the root system of your grass.
There are different methods for aerating a lawn. For the heavy clay and sandy soils found here in Houston, core aeration is recommended. This type of aeration uses hollow tines to remove plugs (or cores) of soil. This makes the soil less compact and creates channels that allow air, moisture, and nutrients into the soil where the roots of your grass can access them and grow deeper. In sandy soils, aeration can help increase water retention and prevent the soil from becoming too dry.
Benefits of Aeration on Your Lawn
Aeration benefits the overall condition of your lawn. By having a professional company like Archer Services aerate your lawn, you can improve your lawn’s soil structure by increasing water absorption and nutrient uptake, as well as reducing soil compaction.
What is Compost Topdressing?
Compost topdressing is the process of adding a thin layer of compost to your lawn, sometimes as thin as half an inch. Topdressing provides nutrients to the soil, specifically nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen. This promotes healthy grass growth and allows your turf, plants, and trees to grow deep and dense roots that better absorb water and fertilizers.
Benefits of Compost Topdressing Your Lawn
Topdressing your lawn increases organic matter availability and greatly improves soil health. Adding compost to your lawn also introduces beneficial microorganisms that help break down organic matter and release nutrients into the soil. This results in better nutrient availability for your grass. Over time, your grass will begin to look noticeably healthier.
Contact Archer Services to Improve Your Houston Lawn
Whether your lawn is suffering from excessive thatch buildup, poor soil quality, or other issues, Archer Services has the expertise and tools to get it back on track. Simple strategies like compost topdressing, aeration, and overseeding work together to help feed and steadily maintain your landscape. Contact us today for an estimate and schedule an appointment with one of our lawn specialists.
