What Is Soil Compaction, and How Can I Fix It?
Are you noticing rainwater pooling on the surface of your lawn? What about areas of your yard with little grass growth? Have you tried to drive a stake into the ground or dig a hole only to feel like you’re up against a layer of concrete?
If any of these scenarios ring true to you, you may have soil compaction throughout your yard.
What Is Soil Compaction?
Soil compaction occurs when soil particles are pressed together, or pore space among particles is minimized, increasing the soil’s density. This leaves little space within the soil for water to seep into or air to reach. It also makes it difficult for soil-enriching microorganisms and animals to access the soil and break down the organic matter or produce nutrients the soil needs for healthy plant growth.
There are cases where soil compaction is beneficial, specifically in construction. However, developing soil compaction throughout your lawn or field can lead to frustrating results and downsides.
What Are the Signs of Soil Compaction?
If you experience soil compaction in your lawn, you’re likely to notice warning signs like:
- Water that pools in low areas after rain
- Water that runs off of high areas after rain
- Tree roots that remain at the surface because they cannot grow downward into the ground
- Lack of grass growth
- Foot-traffic trails
- Inability to plant or grow crops or vegetation
- Inability to dig or install stakes and other items into the ground deeper than a couple of inches
What Causes Soil Compaction?
Soil compaction can develop for a number of reasons, including:
- Freeze-thaw cycles: when water within the soil freezes and expands, it affects the placement of the soil particles and the pores of air below the surface. Once the water thaws, the soil particles settle much more compactly than they were before.
- Wetting and drying cycles: Periods of rain followed by periods of dryness can create a similar effect as a freeze-thaw cycle. Rainwater disrupts the area where the soil particles rest and pushes air away. Once the area is dry, the particles will settle closer together than before. With enough wet-dry cycles, the soil can become too compact for rainwater to penetrate anymore.
- Increased foot or vehicle traffic: With enough pressure from people, animals, or vehicles, the soil below the ground’s surface can become compacted.
Should I Worry About Soil Compaction?
There are many reasons you will want to address soil compaction if it has developed on your property, the main ones being:
Lawn Health
If you want a healthy, vibrant lawn that promotes grass growth and helps your flower beds and trees flourish, but you’re dealing with soil compaction, you will have to address the compaction first. Plants cannot easily grow where there is compacted soil, and soil-enriching organisms that your plants need to thrive will not inhabit an area they cannot easily access.
Garden or Crop Growth
Whether you have a vegetable garden at home or a large commercial crop field, soil compaction will hinder your fruit and vegetable plants, resulting in weak or nonexistent plant growth and weak or nonexistent harvests.
How Can I Treat Soil Compaction?
Property owners facing soil compaction can benefit from aeration services from a skilled team of turf and soil experts. For those in the Middle Georgia area, Mid Georgia Turf Solutions is one of the only aeration companies utilizing a hydraulic core aeration machine that can penetrate the soil more deeply and provide more thorough aeration throughout the lawn.
How Aeration Works
Aeration loosens compacted soil by penetrating the hardened soil down to about 2-4 inches with a 1/2-inch thick hollow tine. This removes some of the soil, allowing space for oxygen, water, and other nutrients to reach the soil and re-nourish it. It also provides the room plant roots and organisms need to begin rooting or flourishing.
Do you think your lawn is affected by soil compaction? Talk to the team at Mid Georgia Turf Solutions about our aeration services.
We’re your turf experts, offering the tools and solutions you need to revitalize your lawn and promote healthy grass growth. If you’re dealing with frustrating signs of soil compaction, talk to us about the benefits of aeration today.
Schedule a lawn disease control evaluation today: 478-992-5705
Mid Georgia Turf Solutions provides essential lawn care to homeowners and property managers throughout the Middle Georgia area. We service customers in and around:
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