Aerating the lawn, regeneration and scarification

Index

Felt

The health of turf 

Aerating the lawn

When to aerate the lawn?

Why do you need to aerate the lawn ?

Felt

First of all, let's see what felt is on the lawn.

Felt is an accumulation of plant fragments of gradual decomposition that expands, in contact with the ground, along the lower part of the turf.

This formation is due to the fact that organic matter accumulates faster than organisms (microbial flora, earthworms and insects) can dispose of it.
The presence of felt that exceeds the thickness of about 5/6 millimeters affects many aspects of lawn life and exposes the turf to potentially harmful consequences.
It is precisely in this situation that the lawn is susceptible as it creates the perfect incubation environment for pathogens and promotes the onset of diseases, especially fungal diseases.

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The health of turf

The health of the turf does not depend only on the presence of these diseases: the grass tends to lose turgor more quickly if the soil is rich in felt as it forms a barrier, hindering the passage of water; the roots develop more superficially, causing a decrease in mechanical resistance; In addition, fertilization loses effectiveness since the fertilizer granules, and therefore the nutrients, stop on the surface.

Further complications are represented by thermal stress: the vital parts of the plant (crown and rhizomes) tend to develop above the felt layer, coming into contact in a less protected way at both high and low temperatures.

Aerating the lawn

Aeration of the lawn carried out with an electric scarifier is the most useful technique for felting. This involves the felt being removed mechanically, with a series of vertical cuts, made by blades placed on a comb or rotors; subsequently the uprooted material is removed, deposited on the surface and then preferably collected.

The cut can be carried out in two ways: overflow with the ground or with a slight incision;
After ventilating, it will be advisable to carry out two interventions:

• Aliette (FREE SALE) or MOMENTUM (FREE SALE) 30 gr/10lt x 100 sqm 
• BLACKJAK (FREE SALE) 15 ml/10 lt x 100 sqm 

To strengthen the root system and prevent fungal diseases (such as phytophthora)

After 7/10 days

• Micosat Tab plus  (FREE SALE) 50 gr /10 lt x 100 sqm
• BLACKJAK (FREE SALE) 15 ml/10 lt x 100 sqm 

With this intervention we will reintroduce organic substances (BLACKJAK) and microorganisms (Micosat Tab plus) into the soil, which have the function of increasing the presence and activity of bacteria, fungi and organisms that will restore natural balance to the soil.

As for the timing, it is advisable to remove the felt in early autumn and early spring, during which physiological vegetative growth takes place.

When to aerate the lawn?

The best time of all is autumn compared to spring since the turf has a way to recover quickly without having to compete with other weeds.

Once the practice of felting has been carried out, reseeding is carried out if the lawn is thinned. Otherwise, it will be necessary to proceed with the use of fertilizers with a high nitrogen rate such as LandscaperPro Maintenance ICL, following a precise annual program on the fertilization of the lawn (see intervention calendar) and respecting the doses indicated.

Watering should not be frequent and superficial; In addition, it is advisable to mow the grass regularly, avoiding removing more than 1/3 of the length of the leaf blade and to use pulverizing lawn mowers or robot lawn mowers in case mowing without collection.