My daughter and son-in-law landscaped their back garden in Nanoose Bay about a year ago and spent a lot of time preparing the space, putting in drainage, irrigation, lighting, etc. Now, they're worried that part of the lawn isn't doing as well as the rest and they wonder if a heavy machine working over somewhat claylike soil perhaps compacted it so much that the roots are having a hard time. They did amend the top few inches. If compaction were the cause, would simple aeration likely improve the situation or should they re-dig the problem area?
Good afternoon Margot, it looks a lovely lawn by your photos. Greens, lawns and grass in general have been a big interest to me over the decades and so I feel a little qualified to answer. Yes it needs aerating. This I always carried out at the end of a busy period on my lawn at the end of Summer, but it can also be done now and then re seeded. I used a hollow tineing tool that lifted 4 inch plugs of soil out across the whole area. This was every foot to eighteen inches. After which I brushed in course sand mixed with 20% top soil. Once this was done, when it is warm enough, a scattering of good quality grass seed is added. Obviously keep an eye on the watering, but if this is done biannualy, then the drainage is taken care of. Yearly chore is also to rake out the dead thatch, this I used to do every September without fail. An Autumn feed is then given for the roots 'not' top growth. This does it's job over the Winter months. Hope thats of a little help to your daughter. D
