When most people hear the word aeration, coring machines come to mind. However, there are other ways to achieve aeration without pulling out soil cores physically.
So how does liquid aeration work? Liquid aerators are unique solutions mixed in water and then sprayed on the lawn. The mixture then breaks down the compacted soil particles and creates channels that allow air to penetrate your lawn.
Ideally, most experts recommend mechanical aeration methods for lawns. However, this may not always be the best solution for all homeowners. Here is everything you need to know about liquid aeration.
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How Does Liquid Aeration Work?
Before we delve into the nitty gritties of how Liquid aerators benefit your lawn, we first need to understand what aeration does to lawns.
Regardless of the techniques used, aeration seeks to:
- Reduce soil compaction on your lawn
- Allow surface runoff to seep into the soil
- Improve air quality in the soil
- Increase nutrient composition in the soil when the plugs break down.
Now that we know what aeration does to soil, we can delve into how liquid aerators can achieve this for your lawn.
Liquid aerators are unique in that instead of physically digging out the soil, they work by being sprayed on the lawn using a hose.
The chemical that allows liquid aerators to work is known as ammonium lauryl sulfate, which is also an active ingredient in soap.
This chemical, when mixed with water, exhibits its negative ionic charge, which then repels clay soil which is similarly charged. This technique is what helps break up compacted clay soil from your lawn.
Think of it as applying conditioner to your lawn to create tiny pores in the soil that help aerate it.
After spraying the solution on your grass, it will start to loosen the soil by breaking up the clumps while creating tiny pores.
These pores allow air, water, and nutrients to filtrate into the soil, improving both drainage and aeration.
How to Apply Liquid Lawn Aerator
Unlike other aeration techniques, liquid aeration does not require equipment like machines that require pulling. This makes it a very cost-effective solution to compacted soil.
Before applying Lawn star liquid aerator to your lawn, make sure you read the fine print on the packaging to get the instructions. Different solutions come with varying mixing ratios and application quantities, so you need to get that right.
Mix the liquid aerator and water in the ratios as advised by the manufacturer, and then spray it onto your lawn using a hose. Make sure to spray in the direction of wind for better coverage.
After spraying your lawn, make sure to water it well to help it recover quickly. Water thoroughly and consistently for about two weeks after aeration.
Also read: Which is better, spike or plug aerator?
When to Apply Liquid Aeration
Liquid aeration is gentle on grass and soil, even in high concentrations. It can be applied even during the growing period of your lawn to improve the air quality of the lawn.
Liquid aeration can be applied all year round. However, you should check whether your soil is compacted first before aerating it. While too much of it won’t harm your lawn, it’s advised only to use it when needed.
Also: Stand-on lawn aerators reviews
How Can You Know if Your Soil is Compacted?
There are various ways to tell if your soil is compacted. Before you aerate, check for the following signs:
- Water forming puddles in parts of your lawn
- Surface runoff from parts of your lawn
- Stunted trees with a shallow root system
- Tough/ hard soil that is hard to dig out.
- Bare areas on your lawn without any vegetative cover
- Thin areas of grass
If your lawn exhibits any of the above signs, then you might want to consider liquid aeration.
The best time to apply liquid aeration is during the fall and spring.
These are peak growth periods for your lawn grass; therefore, they can recover much faster after aerating the soil.
Also read: Best commercial yard aerators
FAQs- How Does Liquid Aeration Work?
Is Liquid Aeration Better Than Mechanical Aeration?
The million-dollar question would be whether liquid aeration is better than mechanical aeration.
First, we ought to look at the advantages and disadvantages of each. Liquid aeration doesn’t require any equipment to apply, and it has much better coverage than mechanical aeration.
It is not labor-intensive, and it is relatively fast when applied.
Mechanical aeration, on the other hand, requires more effort when digging out soil cores. However, it is more effective in creating openings in the soil and relieving compaction.
Mechanical aeration also improves soil quality since the soil cores decompose and add nutrients to the soil.
So is liquid aeration better than mechanical aeration? I wouldn’t say it is. It all depends on your preference.
With mechanical aeration, you only need to invest in the tools once, while with liquid aeration, there are recurring costs when purchasing the aerator solution.
Is Liquid Aeration Effective?
Liquid aeration is an effective way to relieve the pressure in your soil. For some homeowners, it is a cheaper and more efficient way to aerate their lawns without enlisting the help of a lawn care company.
All you need is a liquid aerator, a hose, and a free afternoon.
Some liquid aerators also contain other essential macronutrients and chemicals that impact the soil positively.
How Often Should You Apply Liquid Aeration?
Like mechanical aeration, two applications of liquid aerator a year are enough to improve your soil quality.
However, if clay is the primary soil component of your lawn, you might want to aerate more.
Clay soil forms lumps easily and compacts much faster than loam or sandy soils.
Hence, aerating twice in spring and twice during fall can help relieve the stress caused by compaction on your lawn.
Compacted soil can inhibit root development in the grass, which affects your lawn’s health.
Carrying out aeration once or twice a year improves your soil’s health and grass as well. If you need further advice on whether liquid aeration is perfect for you, you can reach out to a lawn care expert or company.
