What is soil compaction? 

Unlike other horticultural environments such as a crop field or a vegetable plot, your lawn soil is never generally disturbed. This means that over time the action of rain moving through the soil will bring soil particles closer together, locking them tight and excluding air. The recent trend towards wet winters and dry springs further compounds this problem by first saturating and then baking the soil, a process not dissimilar to the manufacture of brick. The result is a hard pan, deficient in oxygen that is mechanically challenging for grass roots and rhizomes to penetrate. This leads to weak root development and a corresponding lack of vigour in the top growth.

 

How can I combat soil compaction? 

Our lawn care expert will perform a detailed survey of your lawn, taking core samples to determine the soil type and using a compaction meter to measure the extent of compaction. A plan of action will then be produced for you to provide a solution for compaction. Lawn treatments that are useful include solid-tine or hollow-tine aeration, which help relieve the compaction and top dressing, which can help improve the soil profile thereby making recurrence of the problem less likely.

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