If your lawn is failing to thrive despite your best efforts, you may assume that the cause is Denver's climate. Denver has a low humidity level most of the year as well as mild spring and fall months. However, it also has extreme temperatures. Summer temperatures periodically exceed the 100-degree level while record winter temperatures have reached well below zero degrees between October through April.
Temperatures are not the only threat to your grass. Denver is rated as one of the leading areas in the country to receive sizable and damaging hail. It has more than 33 days of snowfall on average as well as 53 inches of snow each year. Also, there are almost 80 days with measurable rainfall during a typical year. The hail, rain, snow, and ice that are common in Denver can strike the ground with great force. In some instances, the precipitation can remain on the ground for several days or longer. The force and weight cause the soil to become more compact. Compact soil presents a genuine threat to your lawn. The roots cannot easily grow deep in the soil, which causes general weakness. Also, the grass cannot get adequate fertilizer, water, and air as a result of compacted soil.
Cool season grasses are common in Denver because of its elevation and its mostly mild or chilly climate. The most common grass type found in residential yards in and around Denver is Kentucky bluegrass. Fine fescue and perennial ryegrass are less common, but they still may thrive when conditions are right. When your yard has a grass type that is suitable for the climate, you are on your way to enjoying the beauty of a healthy lawn. However, regardless of the grass type, you must tackle the common problem of compacted soil if you want your lawn to be thick and healthy. Compacted soil is one of the primary causes of thin or patchy grass.
Aeration is a proven way to treat compacted soil. When done correctly, aeration effectively alleviates pressure in the soil and enables everything from water to fertilizer to reach grass roots more easily. Also, it allows grass roots to reach deeper into the soil and to become more established. However, some Denver residents spend a lengthy amount of their free time aerating their lawn on their own without producing desired results. One of the more important steps that you need to take to aerate your lawn effectively is to choose the right tool. A standard tool that is available in local stores for an affordable price requires you to punch holes into the soil. This may seem effective initially, but it is detrimental to the condition of your lawn. When you push holes into the ground, you are making it more compact.
Another tool that is used for aeration works differently. As it pushes into the soil, it scoops out small sections of the earth at regular intervals. This soil is deposited on top of the grass, and the result is much looser soil that is more practical for healthy grass. Because the soil is looser, roots can grow deeper. Fertilizer, air, and water can penetrate farther into the ground.
You can see that it is imperative that you use the right tool for the job when aerating the soil. It is also vital that you do the work at the most convenient time. Because air can reach roots more easily, aeration exposes grass roots to the outdoor temperature. The most practical time of year to aerate a lawn with cold-weather grass is in late summer or early fall. This is a time when the extreme summer heat has passed, and it is likewise at least a few weeks before the first freeze of the year. Be aware, however, that compact soil is a detriment to your lawn's health. If your soil is extremely dense, it may not make sense to wait for fall to arrive before aerating your lawn.
Regardless of the season, aeration can take several hours or longer to complete depending on the size of your property and the tool that you use. Generally, you must cover every inch of your property, making slow, steady progress as you plunge the aeration tool into the ground. Denver is a beautiful city that has ample recreational opportunities, exceptional culture on display for you to enjoy and more. If you are like most Denver residents, you spend the better part of a work week taking care of professional responsibilities, tending to personal chores, and more. You deserve to relax and spend a reasonable amount of time each week enjoying yourself. Unfortunately, taking care of your yard erodes away the limited amount of free time that you have.
The most practical time to aerate your lawn is when weather conditions are pleasant. After all, you must spend several hours or longer doing hard work outdoors. However, Denver has more than 200 parklands that provide you with more enjoyable ways to spend those free hours. These are times when you could be fishing, hiking, camping, playing outdoor sports with friends, or doing other things that you are passionate about.
Denver provides its residents with many additional recreational opportunities. For example, sports fans may want to check out the Broncos, Nuggets, or other teams play. They may wish to attend the State Fair or tour the Denver Art Museum. These are only some of the many things that may be more exciting for you to do in your free time than aerating your Denver lawn. Nonetheless, aeration is an essential step in lawn care.
Thankfully, Lawn Love provides aeration services to homeowners throughout the Denver metropolitan area. You can easily book an appointment for aeration through the Lawn Love website. By taking this step today, you can quickly and conveniently cross this critical task off of your list of to-do items. In the process, you can free up several hours to enjoy on your own terms.
