Aeration and Bagging

[Smartgene]

Cutting a standard lot, how much more should i charge to bag the clippings? Obviously, there is more work invloved and the price of the bags too. If it's say a $30 yard w/out bagging, how much should I add to bag? Also, is aerating a spring and fall thing, or jusr spring? How much should I charge for aerating a standard lot? Home Depot rents aerators, is that were I should get mine until and unless I buy one?

[rkbrown]

We have a lot of clay soil where I am, so some people advocate aerating twice a year...fall and spring. I did a search on aerators yesterday and it seems that the Ryan's and Plugr are popular here. I am about to rent one for my own lawn and am getting some customers lined up so I can do a few and rent the thing for the weekend. I will make sure it is a core aerator rather than a spike-type one.

[Big G]

It all depends on what you want to achieve. Most soils are somewhat compacted unless they have been WELL CARED FOR over the years.

Aereation is a way, (there are many) to relieve soil compaction. Aereating twice a year is a good place to start, once in spring and once in fall. Both times, you should immediately seed and fertilize, (not with a pre-emergent type).

Aereation more often would benefit the soil even more, just depends on what the client is willing to spend. Core aereation type machines are the only way to go. The spike types would not have nearly the same effect.

Big G

[TGCummings]

The spike types don't relieve compaction, so definitely core aerate. My understanding is that once a year is enough, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to do it twice.

I've been reading lately in the California Master Gardeners Handbook that cores should be picked up after aerating. It's always been my belief that they are better left behind to break down over time and put essential nutrients back into the topsoil.

Your thoughts?

[GarPA]

the spiking machines actually make compaction worse...not better...they "push" more soil into the hole...you want to remove soil, not compress it...that lets the roots grow and thrive...this spring I aearted my own yard twice...it was a disaster from last years drought....now its so thick my commercial 21 bogs down...core aerate is the only way to go....pricing is all over the place on this ...some guys give it away...for a good customer I'll do it for $10 per 1000ft....but the normal price is more like 12 to 14. Turgreen charges like $17 per thousand...and the plugs are not big ones...good core removal takes time....me 'em pay you for it

[Russo]

Originally posted by TGCummings


I've been reading lately in the California Master Gardeners Handbook that cores should be picked up after aerating.



Do they say why ? I can't see removing precious topsoil. It's hard to come by around here.

[Big G]

I don't see any reason to remove the cores. They definately are critical as a topdressing when you seed after aeration.

Big G

[TGCummings]

Originally posted by landscraper


Do they say why ? I can't see removing precious topsoil. It's hard to come by around here.

No, at least through what I've read so far. They simply tell you to rake 'em up when you're done. Like I said, this goes against what I've known and understood to this point, so I think I'll dismiss it as a fluke. ;)

[HLC]

I've been reading lately in the California Master Gardeners Handbook that cores should be picked up after aerating.

Sounds like something they came up with at U. of Cal. Berkley. Some environmental group probably did a study and found that there were too many chemicals on top of the ground. You know some rare owl could fly over and sniff too much of it :rolleyes:

[Russo]

Wow! That's great! It's good to see that Berkley has found time to do something other than further their cause of implimenting socialism and finding more ways to " redistribute " my wealth. Maybe this owl sniffing study could take away some of the funding from the programs on how to put condoms on fruit.

[TGCummings]

LOL!

I hadn't thought of it quite that way, but maybe I'd better look at my local extension study guides with a little more scrutiny, considering the source... ;)