HOW TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE IN LAWNS

Lawns that suffer from poor drainage are usually in a poor state of repair. Poor drainage in lawns can be partly due to compacted soil, or by the lawn being laid onto a heavy/clay soil.

How to improve drainage in lawns

The roots of the grass require air pockets in the soil so that the plant cells within the roots have access to oxygen.

This oxygen is required for these cells to metabolize - without which the cells, and later the roots themselves, will die.

 Simply put, the health of your lawn can severely suffer in waterlogged conditions allowing moss and weeds to take a foothold.

In extreme or prolonged conditions the moss and weeds will once again out-compete the turf.

Plugs of soil

The easiest way to improve drainage within the soil is by using a Hollow Tine Aerator - a simple device that removes cylindrical plugs of soil from the top few inches of soil.

Simply spiking the soil with a fork - or as in the short film above - a shoe made of nails will not do the job. This is because the fork tine or nail simply pushes the soil apart to make a small gap.

Give it a day of so and a touch or rain, and the soil will expand back into place rendering the work (you have just previously done) useless!

How to improve drainage in lawns

Aeration through the use of a hollow tine aerator should be carried out on the whole lawn every 2-3 years, except in well used areas, such as in front of garden seats or regularly used grass pathways as these may require more regular attention.

Use in moist conditions in rows approx 4-5 inches apart.

Plugs will automatically eject as the tines are inserted into the lawn and these should either be swept up or left for top dressing.

TOP TIP. Sweep some sharp sand into the holes left by the hollow tine aerator to keep the channels open for longer and aid drainage.

For related articles click onto the following links:
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HOW TO CONTROL WEEDS IN THE LAWN
HOW TO GET RID OF BIRD'S FOOT TREFOIL IN LAWNS
HOW TO GET RID OF BROWN PATCHES IN YOUR LAWN
HOW TO GET RID OF CLOVER IN LAWNS
HOW TO GET RID OF DANDELIONS IN LAWNS
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HOW TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE IN LAWNS
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