LAWN AERATION & ROLLING SERVICES 
IN NORFOLK COUNTY & WATERLOO REGION

We often forget that our lawn is a living entity, reliant on the soil it grows on to feed and nourish it. It is therefore integral to not only support the growing grass itself, but the soil it roots through. Aeration and lawn rolling are two methods that can be used to improve the soil of your property, in two opposing means.  

Aeration is great for reducing the soil compaction that every day use creates – we tend to forget the fact that our dog bouncing around the yard, and the everyday foot traffic decrease the air and water flow of our yard’s soil. This increase in soil density reduces the ability of oxygen and other nutrients to traverse through the different levels of the soil, which can reduce the uptake of nutrients and the likelihood of grass roots going deeper (thereby encouraging stronger root systems). Aeration is a process where either the ground is pricked with metal tines or by a tool that punches out plugs of Earth (this one is the most visible manner, although both are equally beneficial). Here at Jody’s Lawn Care (JLC) we incorporate the spiked method more than the soil punch, as it is less invasive for the soil and can be incorporated with slit seeding for a dual benefit; the turf seeds fill in open soil areas, and the action of aeration enables the seed to settle below the surface of the soil, encouraging better temperature and moisture regulation, resulting in better germination and preventing the seed from easily being eaten by wildlife and birds. Compacted soil can result in starved grass, leading to dead grass, as the necessary nutrients (Potassium, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous) are all water soluble and travel through the soil via water transport. Clumped, tight, soil does not allow this passage easily, especially when the water carries further molecules of the nutrients. Aerated soil encourages nutrient uptake, and reduces wasted nutrients from wash out. Weed sprays can also be more effective on aerated soil for this same reason, and water drainage can be improved as well. Aeration can also make your lawn more drought resistant, as the improved water circulation means roots are better able to access lower water tables and store more water when it is available (retaining better moisture for dry periods). 

Along with the combination of slit seeding, the metal tine method can also reduce a portion of thatch build up on your lawn. Thatch is the accumulation of dead grass and other small debris; these materials can also inhibit water and air flow. Loosening up the soil also reduces the likelihood of weed seeds that have been blown in from neighbouring properties to become established, as they are churned out of the soil and the already established turf is healthier and able to fill the areas that may have been open and uninhabited prior (which are the favoured locales for weeds to grow).  

Lawn rolling is the other side of the coin for soil care. The use of a weighted barrel (usually filled with water) can help reduce ant and mole hilling issues along with smoothing the surface of your lawn; we seek not necessarily to compact the soil, but to improve the grade and level. Rolling your lawn can lead to easier mowing, and water drainage and it also encourages contact between seed and soil, again encouraging germination. We do not recommend you roll you lawn numerous times a year however, as it can be easily over done (especially following some lawn services) and reduces the benefits of other services (such as aeration), it is therefore important to speak with your lawn care professional (like our team at JLC) to ensure that these processes are completed in the appropriate order and manner. If lawn rolling and aeration are to be done in the same year, the rolling should precede the aeration. 

Since all our lawn service quotes are done in-person at your property, it enables us to address any concerns about moving the very heavy roller across your property; we do not want to risk damaging stamped concrete, sprinklers, or any non-turf areas. Lawn rollers should only roll the lawn. The timing of the lawn rolling is also an important consideration, the period shortly after a Spring rain is best as that is when the soil is moist and softer, better able to move with the pressure. 

Both aeration and lawn rolling are designed to address the natural movement of soil, whether it is from the freeze/thaw cycles of seasons changing, animal/insect impacts, or just the pounding the soil takes from our busy lives. The benefit for your lawn’s overall health and appearance is unmistakable. The nutritional needs of your lawn can be heavily impacted by the soil it resides in. Many people do not bother addressing these concerns, but the benefits are worth taking into consideration, especially when you have a company such as Jody’s Lawn Care to do the work for you. Let JLC do the heavy work for the sake of both you and your lawn.