Lawn Aeration for Greener Lawns

Core aeration is a type of cultivation which extracts a plug of turf, thatch and soil and deposits the plug on the surface of the lawn.  The aeration process leaves holes in the turf and soil which encourages oxygen exchange in the root zone, improves moisture and nutrient penetration, relieves compaction and increases the rate of thatch decomposition.

 BENEFITS

• Helps relieve soil compaction
• Increases moisture penetration
• Increases oxygen exchange
• Increases penetration of applied nutrients(fertilizers)
• Increases rate of thatch decomposition

Timing

 Aeration can be performed in the spring or fall, however we always suggest that it be done during the fall season from late August through mid-October.   Aeration in spring has many drawbacks.  First, it degrades the quality of crabgrass pre-emergent applications.  This is especially true if the aeration is done after the pre-emergent application, because aeration disrupts the barrier that the pre-emergent creates.  Second,   after aerating the lawn needs time to rejuvenate and recover.  The lawn is a little weak after aeration, and if done in spring this opens the possibility for significant weed issues.  However, sometimes spring aeration/seeding is necessary.  Common situations where we would recommend doing the service in spring is when there is damage from previous seasons, equipment damage from landscape work and any time the lawn is bare and is in need of new seed.

 Seeding

 Seeding a lawn immediately after aeration greatly improves germination rates.  This is because the seed can have direct seed/soil contact inside the holes created from the aeration.  In fact, this is often the best method for renovating a lawn that has been damaged by insects or diseases.