Plugger PL400B Professional Lawn Aerator

It is well known that you will have to aerate your lawn if you want that maintained appearance which makes others green with envy.

It is also well known that chemicals and fertilisers have only a limited effectiveness in providing healthy looking turf. In fact, they can do more harm than good if they are not used properly as part of a full maintenance programme.

For instance, if fertilisers are applied to the surface of compacted turf (and most lawns are compacted) it just sits there, as does water whether it comes in the form of rain from above or irrigation via the meter. This is because the air gaps between the soil have been closed by foot traffic so there is not downward path. In this situation the natural thing for the grass roots to do is to turn upward and feed near the surface making shallow rooting turf with a thick layer of thatch.

Thatch dries out in drought conditions and requires even more irrigation and fertiliser to keep the grass going. This in itself creates even more thatch. The way to avoid this situation is to take out hollow cores. The holes left behind introduce oxygen to the grass roots. The grass roots require oxygen to remain healthy and prevent disease. The fertiliser and water washes down the holes to the grass root zone encouraging deep rooting grasses which are the most healthy and best able to withstand drought and disease. They also look better and more healthy.

Remember, it's the health of what's hidden below the surface that determines the appearance of the lush green lawns we all want to enjoy.