The Myth of Lawn Rolling

Spring is here. The ground is moist. Time to get the roller out and flatten the lawn. Not! Lawn rolling is one of the worst things you could do for the health of your turfgrass.

The soil is composed of organic material, mineral material, and pore space. The pore space, when dry, is filled with air (oxygen). After a rain, the pores may be filled with water. Rolling compacts the pore space, creating compaction. Compacted soil hold less oxygen for the plant to exchange, and less water for the plant.

Nutrients are available to the turf plant through the water in the soil. A compacted soil, when dry, may turn rock-hard. Rain will tend to run-off a site that is compacted rather than permeate down into the soil. Root growth is restricted when the soil is hardened by compaction.

Turfgrass growing on compacted soil is not going to be as healthy as that growing on aerated soil. If you want a beautiful lawn, avoid the temptation of rolling.