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How to Manage Pests

The UC Guide to Healthy Lawns

Aerating

Soil compaction

Heavy clay soils or soils with heavy foot or equipment traffic often become compacted over time. Soil particles are pressed close together, restricting the movement of oxygen, nutrients, and water to the lawn. As a result, the turfgrass grows slowly and poorly. Turfgrass grown in compacted soils soon become susceptible to drought, disease, and insect damage.

How to alleviate soil compaction

Aerating the soil removes small cores of soil from the lawn, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil.

Photo of soil cores removed from a lawn

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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