Can aeration prevent moss and weed growth?

Aeration is a powerful preventive measure for controlling moss and weed growth in lawns. It can reduce soil compaction and eliminate wet, oxygen-poor areas that are favorable to moss growth, while simultaneously promoting vigorous grass, which will outcompete weeds. Core aeration creates channels for draining and air movement. It alters the environment to favor turfgrass over undesirable species. Scientific studies show that a proper course of aeration can result in a reduction of 60-80% in moss and 40-60% in weeds.

The transformation occurs immediately after core extraction has taken place. The soil channels will alter the water retention pattern and cause the area to dry out, rendering the constant wetness necessary for moss growth impossible to maintain within 48 hours. At the same time, the oxygen circulation involved in the process creates aerobic conditions, which also hinder the establishment of moss. In a few weeks, the existing colonies of moss must dry out and disintegrate as soon as the preferred habitats are lost. This physical alteration of the soil environment effects a permanent protection when combined with yearly cycles of maintenance.

Weed prevention works through biological competition, as opposed to chemical methods. More grass, as a result of an improved root system, forms a protective canopy that shades the sun from weed seeds. Improved grassroots structures also absorb food and moisture before the weeds get to it. Research has shown that this natural restriction of weeds is more effective in the long run than herbicides, if complemented by overseeding. The resultant combination makes turf self-propagating and resistant to reinfestation.

The advantages of aeration are multiplied by the timing. Aerate the lawn during the vigorous growth seasons when the grass can quickly fill in the areas that the moss and weeds exploit. For cool-season grasses, this means aerating in early fall when the grass is growing vigorously in preparation for winter dormancy. Add to this an overseeding of grass varieties developed for density, which will be administered soon after aeration. The results will be competitive grasses in these areas that will create biological controls, which will last for several seasons with good management.

The overall effect reduces chemical dependence and saves resources. The reliance upon moss killers and herbicides diminishes greatly after constant aeration. The need for watering is less in the spring and fall because the surface moisture supplies are deeper and available for the use of the more vigorous turf. This plan establishes a sustainable turf management program where the more vigorous grass plant occupies the area naturally through improved conditions of vigor and soil. The annual repetition of these programs consistently yields more significant results over the years.

Read the full article: 10 Benefits of Lawn Aeration Explained