Plus, HomeAdvisor reports that it costs an average of $64 to rent an aerator machine for four hours. In this instance, saving time also saves money. Lawn care guides, pictures, and discussions. I hope that helps? . The thatch layer comes back in a hurry, leaving the lawn desperate for water and air. Those are better served by core aeration since the holes provide a better foothold for new grass growth. I'll be waiting for your answer to my inquiries. I will hopefully come back in a couple of weeks with good results. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. That does not serve as aeration. NOTE: Do NOT use anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid in the mixture as it will kill off important microbes in the lawn and soil that help "digest" thatch. how often have you applied in wi? (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3" }).render("00499ba9282e4d1b985fa8af14d29c2b"); }); Liquid aeration requires none of the above. My GOODNESS people aren't motivated enough to do this!!! It's in the older comments. Its an important part of Lawn Sciences organic lawn care system. And you see no sense in putting ammonia down? That's it! I'm looking for something that won't add to an already serious problem created by the run-off from farms and am not sure that ammonia is a safe ingredient. Shake well before using. The liquid aeration formula is sprayed directly onto the lawn. You can use any size hose-end sprayer you can find. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. While this is good enough to see some results, liquid aeration can reach much deeper. I tried the beer tonic on the morning of 17May2009 but instead of using a hose-end sprayer I used a pump sprayer. The Coke , as long as it is NOT diet, provides sugars that feed the microorganisms as well, and also a phosphorous in the form of phosphoric acid, study Fluid Dynamics and you'll understand why the dish soap reduces surface tension of soil molecules, allowing the mixture to better penetrate, and if your mouthwash is like scope or listerine, they are mostly alcohol, which affects the reproductive cycle of insects. I will be using these tonics til the day I day. The beer is for you to drink and have a good time while doing your lawn. It's therapeutic. However, I prefer to use the equivalent of a 20 gallon sprayer on 2,000 sf of lawn area to get more water in solution and help it soak in better. [deleted] 2 yr. ago. No Bald Spots, Really Nice Now. Sheesh! For best results apply before 10am. Aeration breaks up this layer of thatch so the grasss roots can get the water and nutrients they need. While some advise against aerating in the spring, doing it ahead of the growing season can prove to be a boon for a lawn. Almost all of the claims for these products center around the fact that they reduce compaction. This year, their lawn came around end of May. I am not sure what setting to put it on. It says 10 gal. 5. The nails will go all the way through the plywood into the ground. I'll keep all of you posted. All it does it simply help break surface tension in hydrophobic soils. I get quite a few customers who are concerned with (what they perceive as) excess thatch in the lawn, and who ask me if their lawn needs to be power-raked and/or manually dethatched. This revenue may affect the location and order in which products appear. Reclaimed Wood Lawn Aerator Conclusion Let me tell you, a lawn aerator is not cheap. While manual aeration can be a valuable practice for your lawn, theres no doubt that liquid aeration is the better option. More ammonia? To LAWN MOWING professional, is the ammonia sulphate you suggest the same fertilizer that is creating the horrible algae problem in the Great Lakes? I used your receipe with 16 oz cans of beer should I have increased the other ingredients from what you have written in the receipe??? This is especially beneficial, as it ensures that water and nutrients can reach the deepest roots. Manual aeration methods can only penetrate about three inches deep into the soil. When humic acid was added to putting greens they resulted in lower moisture levels suggesting the claims for better water infiltration are false. If you're looking for same-day lawn care services, our team can help. The attraction to liquid aeration products is the convenience factor and the fact that you can do it yourself. Best of Luck! Some suggest just spreading dry humic acid which probably works as poorly as the liquids, unless you use a lot. I am also starting to see more DIY liquid aeration mixtures being promoted on the internet. Each product had the same claims and 4.0 + ratings from over a thousand reviews. The displacement of 3.6 oz of tonic mixture/gallon of water should cover what recommened square footage?? Lots of homemade lawn tonics contain all kinds of stuff from the kitchen. This year I moved smack in the middle of two people who use a lawn service to cut and maintain the grass. The solution is to aerate the soil. lol. by Southern Lawn Man | Jun 5, 2017 | Lawn Blog. You can make this simple DIY lawn aerator with strips of reclaimed wood. It can take hours for lawn care professionals to manually aerate a medium-sized lawn, even with professional-grade equipment. Can I use your lawn tonic to spray my vegetables to kill of and discourage any bugs? A machine that simply pokes holes in your lawn starts at $100. and how often? The 10-gallon hose end sprayer is actually quite small, enough to fit the undiluted solution. I've used this formula 3 times this summer and don't see any improvement in my lawn. I use the commercial antifungus products but each year it covers a larger area. Also, if you applied this stuff every three weeks over the growing season, you would end up spending about $20 per month in "chemicals" which is about $80 for the year. It also introduces much-needed nutrients to the lawn. Thanks. Simply mix four ounces of the softsoil liquid soil aerator into a gallon of water and apply. I use the Dial-a-Sprayer (since that's what's commonly available at the Walmart/Target/etc) to approximate a 20 gallon sprayer. FROM THE CARPENTRY TO THE YARDS. I hope that helps. Some of these products also claim to reduce thatch. You can also buy aerator attachments for your riding lawn mower for $80+. I have the Lawn Care recipe, you know, the one with pop, beer, dish soap, ammonia, and mouthwash, and know water. 1. My lawn definitely has compacted soil without a any experience began researching mechanical and liquid aeration. I live in Cleveland, Ohio and back up to a golf course that has closed after 100 years of being in business due to the economy. .so yes, a lot of water is in the mix. weiss27md 8b . The mouthwash does something you would never suspect mouthwash would do. Jimmy Baker says to stay clear of dish soap with antibacterials and degreasers. No need to buy or rent equipment. So I went online to see about it and voila, it's here. For one what gives you the right to judge people!!! If you have a sprayer with a dial on it, set the dial to 1.6 oz per gallon to give the correct ratio". They make it difficult to enjoy spending time in the grass and can hamper a homes general appearance. Soda pop?Definitely not something you should have washing into your soil. Killing the Grub there food supply. Yes, pulling a core has it advantages; but you have to deal with the 'mess' of the cores. Applying a fungicide will deplete ALL beneficial fungi and bacterial that is responsible for converting applied nitrogen into usage plant form Simply stated, applying a fungicide will make your problem worse as you have indicated. From pahrump, nv. Well my lawns have always been greenest of the block. On the other hand, the benefits of manual aeration are often short-lived. Yucca extract serves as a wetting agent. Begin spraying the homemade fertilizer, taking care not to let the nozzle linger too long in one place. My Neighor's Yard was in Serious Trouble from year 2012 (Serious Bald Areas, and grass looked embarrassing.) You can also rent an aerator. Surfactants are a type of soap. The attention magnet easy and cheap. As you spray you will notice that the tonic will gradually disappear. Amanda Prischak is a freelance writer based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Our finance columns have been reprinted on MSN, Yahoo Finance, US News, Business Insider, Money Magazine, and Time Magazine. Simple Steps for a DIY Rolling Lawn Aerator Drill holes around your bucket, aiming for around three inches of space between each hole. I've been using lawn services that over Nitrate your lawn, organic iron, water and water, etc. That is a good question that is not easy to answer. -1/2 Cup of household ammonia It kills the bugs and grubs. "It essentially messes-up their re-productive cycles and keeps them out of your lawn and makes it look a lot better and leaves it minty fresh," laughs Heffron. READ THE FRONT OF THE BOTTLE IT TELLS YOU. Here is another quick and easy take on lawn aerator shoes. lol. Currently, we have thousands of easy crafts and tutorials, making us the biggest crafty site on the internet. I enjoy spraying them. If you want to approximate a 10 gallon sprayer as in this recipe, set it to either "3 oz" or "4 oz" as I mentioned above. How does this work? NOTE: Do NOT use anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid in the mixture as it will kill off important microbes in the lawn and soil that help "digest" thatch. Now, back to aerating those lawns. DIY Plexiglass Lawn Aerator Sandals 5. Upcycled Five Gallon Plastic Bucket Lawn Aerator 7. In recent years, a new lawn aeration method called liquid aeration began gaining traction. I have an Ortho "Dial a Spray" - What setting should I use for a per gallon ratio? Pour 1 cup of beer or non-diet soda into the sprayer. Traditional aeration involves loosening the soil to allow water, nutrients, air and fertilizer to penetrate deeper. How to Make the Lawn Spike AeratorMaterials. Seriously what possible nutritional value is there in this rubbish that a lawn needs or can tolerate. So, Yes, I will use this method and I'm sharing. In fact, when combined with a safe, organic homemade liquid dethatching recipe (also known as a "lawn tonic"), mulched-up grass clippings left on your lawn will actually reduce the amount of thatch. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox. You can also buy aerator attachments for your riding lawn mower for $80+. None-the-less, dose anyone have a simple answer to a simple question, HOW MUCH WATER? Liquid Lawn Aeration is Both Easier and Quicker. The closest I can get with my fine Ortho dail-and-spray is four ounces/gallon, or buy a fixed-rate sprayer that does 3.5 to 4 oz/gallon. WITH THE NEIGHBOR WHO CUTS HIS GRASS TOO SHORT IT KILLS IT. The wood houses the nails that you use to aerate the lawn. Unlike traditional aeration that involves removing plugs from, or poking holes in, a lawns soil, liquid aeration simply involves applying a fortified liquid solution to the lawn. Go to your local walmart or dollar tree. But as soon as we hit a dry period my lawn stayed green while theirs was drying out. There are some theories around about keeping Ca and Mg ratios in appropriate levels to one another, but I dont think this is widely accepted. Traditional aeration (also called core aeration) uses a machine to pull up small plugs of soil from your lawn. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The spikes are made from nails, which are perfect for creating the aeration that your lawn needs to make it grow lush and healthy. None of these are going to significantly reduce compaction. Yucca extract serves as a wetting agent. I have a 12 year old Chocolate Lab and I'm concerned about using chemicals especially herbicide or insecticides on my lawn so this has to be better, doesn't sound like there is anything in it that could be harmful. It gets to work, breaking down the thatch layer and allowing the grasss roots to breathe. We recommend our users to update the browser. Which is Best? No way this recipe come out to $20 per month. thanks. The active ingredient, ammonium lauryl sulfate, is commonly found in soap. Does Liquid Lawn Aeration Work Liquid Soil Conditioners?, source: CNR Lawn Care. Keep it green? If you understand basic chemistry and chemical reactions, you'll understand how the ammonia breaks down into nice, avaialble form of nitrogen, which your plants need to grow. People, this recipe came from a master gardener named Jerry BakerI used it for many years and my lawn was the envy of the neighborhood. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Everything You Need to Know About Liquid Aeration. HOW TO MAKE LIQUID LAWN DETHATCHERS - GARDEN GUIDES. We have a big yard, and the expense is killing us, and what we hire to have done, isn't working. I have received several emails recently asking me about the 10-gallon hose end sprayer, and if you need to add 10 gallons of water to the solution. Especially reviews. Not the best option for newly-seeded lawns. mouthwash? However, thedevelopment of thatchon a lawn makes it difficult for water and nutrients to reach the grasss roots. A garden pump sprayer or a hose-end sprayer can be used to combine a liquid aeration product, which is essentially a "soil loosener," with water and spray it liberally around your yard. help i do not want anything to do with commerical anymore and my wi lawn looks awful. I love the lawn Tonic! If it works well.. That $2.50 sounds like a bargain compaired to other lawn care products i see listed on the shelves not so.. Do you have dollar stores in your area? Again, if you don't already have a hose-end sprayer (a device with a little plastic jug, usually about a quart to a quart-and-a-half in size, with a nozzle top that attaches to your hose) you can use any hose-end sprayer you can find. I have a private company called Top Turf(Lawn Manangement Company) treating my yard every other month with fertilizer, lime, weed control and so on. I have a few questions to ask. Do you have to start this at the beginning of the spring season in order for it to work. Won't it burn the grass??? Biological liquid dethatcher for lawns is a new category of product that makes it very easy to eliminate thatch from your lawn. This will not happen when using a liquid aeration product.. This is a fairly dilute solution that is designed to soak into the ground and reach the thatch and root layers of your lawn to do it's work. Attach the hose end sprayer to a garden hose securely. Most homeowners are telling us they need two sprayers-full to cover 5,000 square feet, or the average lawn. How often should this be applied? Foot traffic causes compaction, which causes grass to grow poorly. My lawn is in need of some serious fertilizing, however, I'm afraid that even some of the "Pet Safe" ones may not be as they say. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. If you really want to try and aerate your lawn this way, spread 1/4 (0.6 cm) of compost over the whole lawn, each spring. Do you add water to the mixture? how many square feet???? The recipe is 36 ounces of tonic to ten gallons of water, which works out to about 3.6 ounces per gallon. However, thanks to the ease of application, liquid aerating a larger lawn is no issue. we just got a new puppy, i have a cat and an 8 yr old daughter. I'm willing to try it again with a hose-end sprayer but have a few questions. Powered by, Best Garden Plants for Connoisseurs eBook, Compaction squeezes the soil particles closer together, machine called a core aerator is run over the lawn, recommended by almost all government organizations, similar to liquid thatch reducers, which I have discussed previously, commercial liquid organic polymer solution, humic acid was added to putting greens they resulted in lower moisture levels, https://www.facebook.com/groups/GardenFundamentals/. I have used this and it has worked so good!! I just keep looking at it and when the stuff becomes clear, and I cant smell it anymore, then I know i am done or need to change it. Make a mark at the bottom of the bucket in the center. If you could advise that would be great. Advertiser Disclosure ▾ 7 Ways to Improve the Life of Your Lawn Mower, Advertising blogger and copywriter, and creative director for over 20 years. Press J to jump to the feed. Pros of Liquid Aeration No need to buy or rent equipment. I did an Amazon search and as usual came across a multitude of providers. When applying do you just get the grass wet but not puddling??? Thanks weebitty also see previous post. Based on ingredients, these products are the same as liquid core aerator products except they contain things like fertilizer, vitamins, plant growth hormones, and bio-stimulants. UPDATE My lawnhas NEVER been power raked (if you know anything about Zoysia, you know it is notorious for thatch build-upa problem I have never had). the sprayer attaches to garden hose ,as the water is turn on and the water runs thru the sprayer it sucks up the tonic from the sprayer in which mixes the right amount of water.If your sprayer has adjustment set it as close to 3.6 oz as possible .as your hose sprays 1 gallon of water then 3.6 oz of tonic mixed with that 1 gallon will go on your lawn.simple? St. Bernard $498.00 Be the Best-Lawn-On-The-Block! Drill a hole through the plywood at each of the 12 points on the graph where the lines intersect with a 5/64 drill bit. 3.2 or 3.6 per gallon or close to that if your dial only does 3 or 4 just pick one. The liquid soap is a wetting agent, helping the formula penetrate to the roots. The problem is that this foot traffic compacts the soil under the lawn. Place the lid on the sprayer and shake to thoroughly mix. They make me crazy when they talk all this stuff and don't have a clue. The technician will easily be able to cover even the largest lawns with the liquid aeration solution. Now, to fix what you've done, water your lawn well and rinse that stuff off the leaves and get it into the ground where it's needed. The sprayer holds 1 quart, so simply mix and blend 16 oz of product with 2 quarts of water. The truth is, every lawn needs a certain amount of thatch, and if you use my homemade liquid dethatcher recipe listed below, you will NEVER have a thatch problem in your lawn. This is traditionally done with a mechanical device called a core aerator. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. There are no laws in North America about what you can or cant do with garden products, if it is not a pesticide. It clears away the layer of thatch that prevents a grasss roots from receiving water and sunlight and helps loosen compacted soil. This doesn't look like a good option. It does work, at least for a short period of time. These microorganisms are THE key players in whether your plants grow well and healthy or not, so stimulating them is a great thing. My lawn is already starting to awaken from its winter hibernation here in Colorado, and it won't be long before the scorching sun will turn the neighbors' new green growth into brown, dry thatch. A 10 gallon hose sprayer is designed to distribute 32 oz. How do you know?? I watered thoroughly and applied the mixture. WHEW! Seeds need soil contact in order to germinate, says Lemcke. This recipe has been around for a long time and it works!! Its purpose is to help the mixture coat the grass all the way down to the roots. The reason being that - as the clippings decompose - they also speed along the decomposition of old roots and rhizomes. Lomi Electronic Composter Are The Claims True? Just buy them and spray them on your lawn job done. IT SMELLS LIKE A GOLFERS GOOD DAY. Reduced compaction will do the following. And if you havent yet, be sure that you get a look at these 12 near genius IKEA hacks for your lawn and garden. This means that its safe for the environment and can be applied to a lawn without harming the natural ecosystem. This reference was used by a company promoting a liquid aeration product as evidence that their product worked. Lawns are popular because they make a great walking surface. MG 2 Comments. Springtime aeration is often done in conjunction withoverseeding grass. thank you for your time. Not in most cases this is another myth. Drive a 4-inch nail into each of the drilled holes with a hammer. Jerry Baker's Giant Book of Garden Solutions explains how clay soil can be amended from the top down by first puncturing the compacted soil every 8" with a garden fork. Does anyone know if this is pet safe. Does Gypsum work in reducing clay compaction? This past season we have a yard that is infiltrated with brown patch fungus (according to the nursery I took some of the grass to). It actually digs holes in the lawn and drops these cores on top of the lawn. I just mixed the ingredients in a milk jug. It ranges from t-spoons to oz.up to 8 oz. I'd say go ahead and give it a try. Spray according to the directions, then thoroughly water your lawn afterward and for the next two weeks. I tried out the liquid. The mixture starts working as soon as its applied to the grass, but it may take a month or more to see its effects in action. ***You need to use the hose sprayer as directed.***. This is usually when grass is growing the most, which allows the lawn to recover quickly. The lawn care technician can applythe liquid aeration with ease, leaving the solution to get to work. OUR YARD IS GLOWING LIKE I PAINTED IT.THANKS AND HAVE A VERY BLESSED DAY! No unsightly plugs left in your lawn. Please view our. You do not want to aerate in the Summer, however. 1 cup mild baby shampoo (like THIS one, DO NOT use anti-bacterial) 1 cup club soda (any type you have or find for cheap) cup - 1/2 cup Epsom (NOT scented, like this one) 1 cup household ammonia (same as ammonium hydroxide, like this one) But revenue considerations do not impact the objectivity of our content. There is no doubt that these are benefits of reduced compaction. Repurposed Oil Drum Aerator 2. Required fields are marked *. WITHIN AN HOUR 1 OF OUR ALABAMA HOUSES YARD LOOKS SO BRIGHT ITS LIKE IT HAS LIGHTS IN IT! How does liquid lawn aeration compare to traditional core aeration? Thank you Mark for the excellent info. Different species of grass(such as Zoysia, Centipede, Bermuda, and Buffalo grasses) produce this natural thatch faster than other grass species, but all grasses produce their own natural thatch. The solution breaks down dense particles in the soil and loosens it up, creating beneficial airways. You just use the rake to steady your aerator and give yourself a brace for pushing it into the ground. This is a really simple process and it can be so healthy for your lawn. What's next, motor oil on the lawn? I was just wondering if dawn has a degreaser in the soap. I get all of my mixture from the local Dollar store (not the beer) most of the recipe people have in there house. To do core aeration you have to either hire someone or rent a machine and do it yourself, both are costly and inconvenient. Liquid aeration is a convenient and cost effective alternative to manual aeration. When you use a solid tine- there are no cores. You'll find many similar formulas on the Internet, and we've listed some sights below, but this is a formula that seems to work well in Colorado. It rained earlier this afternoon here in Jacksonville, FL with an average temp of mid 70s to high 80s. How many days before and after you apply the tonic can you water your lawn? The "10-gallon" size is just a reference to the hose-end sprayers capacity when under pressure from your hose. Your email address will not be published. I dont have it saved to cite it, sorry. He means that the quart container mixes with water as you spray on the settings of 3.6 oz. After another long winter, the sun is finally shining, the birds are chirping, and the grass in front of many residents homes is already a vibrant shade of green. The best time to liquid aerate your lawn is in the spring or fall. Your lawn should start looking better in a few weeks. Get Same-Day Lawn Care Services. The liquid aeration solution wont harm anything underground. He also added flea and tick shampoo for dogs to this remedy for obvious reasons. The ammonia promotes growth and turns your lawn green. If you goal is to allow nutrients to enter the soil more easily does it really matter how its done? When it comes to comparing the efficiency of liquid aeration and mechanical core aeration, there's no contest. THIS SHOULD ANSWER MOST OF YOUR QUESTIONS These are solutions that are simply mixed with water to be used with a hose-end or backpack sprayer. The big takeaway is that it does make a difference and to avoid antibacterial or antimicrobial soaps since that can kill/hinder microorganisms in your lawn which are important. Even the seemingly cheaper ones are pretty costly, so what did I do? Make a few pairs and let your family or friends help you to make your lawn healthy and lush. It also introduces much-needed nutrients to the lawn. Been burnt before by Amazon and now skeptical of any product. In fact, if I were you, I just apply water at that rate to help rinse off your lawn and get that solution into the ground before any more damage occurs. I am always on the lookout for gardening tips and cheats because, well, I'm awful at gardening. Directions. Clearex Nutrient salt build up clearing solutiondoes this work? The "Lawn Tonic" I typically remove one swig before starting. Unfortunately, I had a disappointing result and my lawn is starting to wither. feed the lawn. I recently started looking into ways of making my lawn more lush and healthy and what I learned is that aerating your lawn if really good for it. You can also go the manual route. Ironite Plus 32 oz. But some of these people just act foolish!! Is there anything that I can do to get rid of this. But you have to add a lot of organic matter and the process is very slow. Protection against disease, fungi, and pests. That's the question I set out to answer with an experiment in this video. Pet-Safe Fertilizer Nope they told me of this mixture. You no longer need to use special thatch rakes or rent motorized dethatchers to clean up your lawn. Learn the recipe at Bob Vila to make one of the best homemade liquid fertilizer. Thanks for the information. That's especially important here in Central Florida where the sun can scorch a lawn pretty quickly. I revisited this story about Lawn Tonic on AOL this morning, I'd seen it earlier in the year and bought all the ingredients for it but had not used it yet. Heffron clearly has the best looking lawn in his neighborhood. :). Leaving clippings on your lawn WILL NOT cause thatch to build up. I hope I covered all bases and provided everybody useful information. There are a number of homemade liquid aeration solutions being promoted. Humates, compost, and seaweed contain vital nutrients and enzymes that enrich the lawn andhelp decomposethe thatch layer. 100% satisfaction guarantee on all services. I think I saw this guy in the local news when I was in high school.