Aeration Quick Facts:
- Decreases soil compaction
- increases grass seed germination
- increases soil permeability
- increases nutrition uptake by turf roots
- decreases thatch
- Directly and indirectly results in a healthier, thicker lawn (when combined with fertilization and overseeding)
Overview:
Lawn aeration mechanically removes “plugs” of soil from a lawn and deposits them on top of the lawn surface. This process allows nutrients and oxygen to penetrate into the root layer of the lawn as well as reduces overall compaction of the lawn. Aeration is a very beneficial service esp. when combined with an overseeding immediately after aeration is completed. This is why all of our lawn care packages start with an aeration, overseeding and fertilization.
The problem:
Compact soil and thick thatch layers often result in poorly performing residential turf grasses. Compaction and thatch both prevent nutrients from reaching the root zone of turf, resulting in weak turf. Weak turf is prone to thinning insect damage, disease, drought and heat stress, plus weed growth and increased water runoff. Fertilization and overseeding applications will be less effective on compacted soil. A thick thatch layer will cause overseeding failure since new seedling roots cannot reach the soil; seedlings will dry out during warm days.
How Core Aeration Solves These Problems:
Aeration punches holes through thatch (dead grass and matted organic material) and down into the soil, pulling a plug out of the turf and depositing it on top of the lawn. By removing plugs which are 2-3 inches in length with a dime sized diameter, aeration allows oxygen, nutrients and water to reach the root zone of turfgrass. Performing an overseeding of the freshly aerated lawn will allow grass seeds to fall into the aeration holes resulting in a much higher germination rate vs simply spreading seed on unaerated turf.
When should a lawn be Aerated?
Aeration should be completed at lease once per year, twice is best, especially when combined with an overseeding application each time. Aeration + oveseeding in the Spring and Fall each season will result in a thicker healthier lawn which is ready to grow and thrive.
Direct Benefits of Aeration:
The lawn will be more receptive of watering and fertilizing and grass seeds will germinate at a higher rate. The lawn will be less compact and thatch will be decreased.
Indirect Benefits of Aeration:
The lawn will be stronger due to the increased water infiltration and nutrient uptake from fertilizations. Drought and heat tolerance should increase as the root system grows deeper and stronger. The lawn will be thicker and should present fewer opportunities for weed growth due to grass seedlings growing from the thousands of aeration holes throughout the lawn.
Other Treatments Which Pair Nicely With Aeration:
Overseeding
Fertilization
Organic Feed and Seed