Lawn aeration is generally recognized as the best way to improve air/gas exchange and water/nutrient intake of your turf grass. Some aeration occurs naturally, but due to soil compaction or other soil conditions, lawns rarely thrive without some means of mechanical aeration. The clayey soils in our area are susceptible to compaction and if you use your lawn for recreational activities the level of compaction is increased. In addition to this compaction, thatch build-up (usually more than 1/2-inch) can be especially damaging to lawns. This thatch acts as a barrier, preventing water and nutrients from penetrating the soil where the turf roots are located.

Mechanical aeration benefits your lawn in six ways.

• It reduces soil compaction.
• It penetrates heavy thatch.
• It provides more efficient uptake of water and nutrients.
• It enhances root growth.
• In enriches the nutrient quality of the surface soil.
• It decreases surface water run-off.

Core-aeration is the most popular method of aeration. This process mechanically removes small-diameter plugs from the soil and deposits the plugs on the lawn. The holes left in the lawn allow moisture and nutrients to more easily reach the roots. As the soil naturally expands to fill the holes over a few weeks’ time, the surrounding soil is allowed to loosen, reducing the overall compaction of the soil. The plugs that are scattered on the lawn eventually break down to form a valuable top dressing that enriches the soil near the surface and helps break down thatch.

For the cool-season grasses in our area, the best time to aerate is just prior to the fast growing season. This is in the early spring or fall, however if conditions in the spring are especially wet because of excessive rainfall it is best to wait until the fall. Core-aeration of extreme wet soil can actually increase the amount of compaction. Every lawn is different so it’s best to have an experienced lawn care professional look at your property and provide you with advice on your lawn care program. We generally prefer aerating lawns in the fall and we often combine this aeration with an over-seeding program. The aeration loosens the soil giving plant roots room to grow. This along with a fertilizer application and some deep watering is very helpful in providing a thick, lush, weed-free lawn.