Lawn aeration is a process where you poke small holes into the soil of your lawn to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the roots of the grass.
It's a great way to keep your lawn healthy, but it can leave you wondering what to do with all those little plugs of soil that it generates.
You see, after your lawn is aerated, you're left with all these little plugs of soil that are just kind of sitting there on your lawn. And, you might be wondering what to do with them.
Do you just leave them there? Do you pick them up and throw them away?
In this NerdLawn.com guide, we'll go over the different options you have for dealing with those plugs, and I'll give you some tips on what might work best for your lawn.
It's important to remember that lawn aeration is a vital step in maintaining a healthy lawn, and that the plugs generated by aeration should be handled in a way that best suits your lawn's needs.
So, let's get started!
Dispose of the Plugs
Aeration plugs
Okay, let's talk about the first option for dealing with those plugs of soil after aeration.
The easiest option is to simply dispose of the plugs.
You can rake them up and place them in a compost pile or you can use your lawn mower to chop them up and leave them on the lawn.
Now, I know what you might be thinking. "But wait, if I just throw them away, isn't that wasting all that good soil?"
Well, technically speaking, yes.
But, think of it this way. By adding new soil to your lawn through composting, you're giving your lawn a little boost of nutrients.
Plus, it's quick and easy. Just like how you don't want to spend all day cleaning your room, you don't want to spend all day picking up plugs.
But, keep in mind that this option may not be the most beneficial for the lawn.
However, if you're short on time, or you just don't want to deal with the plugs, this is the easiest option for you.
Leave the Plugs on the Lawn
An aerated lawn
Alright, let's talk about the second option for dealing with those plugs of soil after aeration: leaving the plugs on the lawn.
The plugs will eventually break down and improve the soil structure.
Think of it like this, when you're trying to grow a garden, you don't just remove all the dead leaves and debris, right? You leave some of it there because it will eventually break down and add nutrients to the soil.
The same thing happens with the plugs. They'll eventually break down, adding organic matter to the soil, which will improve the soil structure and promote healthy growth of the lawn.
Will it make your lawn look messy?
Well, yes, it might not look as neat and tidy as if you removed the plugs.
But, think of it this way, a messy garden can still be a productive one.
Similarly, a lawn with plugs all over it can still be healthy. Plus, this option is less work, you don't have to spend time raking up or mowing the plugs.
However, keep in mind that leaving the plugs on the lawn may not be the best choice for lawns with heavy foot traffic or for aesthetics.
It's like if you have a lot of people coming over to your house, you might want to clean up the crumbs before they arrive.
But, it all depends on your personal preference and the condition of your lawn.
Incorporate the Plugs into the Soil
Alright, let's talk about the third option for dealing with those plugs of soil after aeration: incorporating the plugs into the soil.
It's like when you're making a cake, you don't just leave the ingredients in the bowl, you mix it all together, right? Same idea here.
You use a rake or a garden fork to work the plugs back into the soil.
By incorporating them back into the soil, you're adding organic matter to the soil, which will improve the soil structure and promote healthy growth of the lawn.
It might take a bit more time and effort than just leaving the plugs on the lawn or disposing of them.
By taking the time to incorporate the plugs back into the soil, you're ensuring that your lawn will be the best it can be.
Wrapping Up
Lawn aeration is a vital step in maintaining a healthy lawn and has many benefits. The plugs generated by aeration should be handled in a way that best suits your lawn's needs. You should aerate your lawn once a year when your grass is most actively growing.
Remember, like in cooking, the best way to handle the plugs depends on the recipe and the cook's preference.
So, choose the option that works best for you and your lawn.
