To the Readers' Forum:
Every spring I see people out dragging a heavy roller over their lawn. This is a bad practice.
You may think you are "smoothing the surface'' but all you are doing is compacting the root system. The heaving from frost will go down as the temperatures of the soil go up. Bumps in your lawn should be graded not smashed. Compacting the root system makes for a weak lawn.
People will say "I see golf courses do the greens.'' Greens are on a sand "base" that does not compact. They also do core aeration. Hundred of hole are made by pulling cores. This lets air and space in the soil. It allows roots to spread. It also lets water reach roots better. Water can't penetrate a hard concrete like soil.
So the best thing for you to do with that heavy roller is to get rid of it.
Have a happy mowing season.
Darrin Pocza
Jamestown