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LAWN AERATION


What is lawn aeration?
Lawn aeration involves the removal of small soil plugs or cores out of the lawn with a machine having hollow tines known as a core aerator, it extracts 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter cores of soil and
deposits them on your lawn. Aeration holes are typically 1-6 inches deep and 2-6 inches apart.
 

What will aeration do for my lawn?

As lawns age or sustain heavy use from play, sports activities, pets, vehicle traffic and parking, soil compaction can result. Soil compacting forces are most severe in poorly drained or wet sites. Compaction greatly reduces the pore space within the soil that would normally hold air. Roots require oxygen to grow and
absorb nutrients and water. Compaction reduces total pore space and the amount of air within the soil. It has a negative impact on nutrient uptake and water infiltration, in addition to being a physical barrier to root growth. This results in poor top growth and lawn deterioration. Core aeration can benefit your lawn by:

 Increasing the activity of soil microorganisms that decompose thatch.

  • Increasing water, nutrient and oxygen movement into the soil.
  • Improving rooting.
  • Enhancing infiltration of rainfall or irrigation.
  • Helping prevent fertilizer and pesticide run-off from overly compacted areas.

How do I know if I need to aerate?

If in doubt about aeration, remove a square foot section of lawn at least 6 inches deep. If grass roots extend only into the first 1-2 inches, your soil may be compacted and could benefit from core aeration.

 Other reasons to aerate include:

  • Your lawn is heavily used or driven upon on a regular basis, causing the turf to thin or look unhealthy.
  • The thatch layer is in excess of 1/2 inch.
  • You have a heavy clay soil.

Is there any reason not to aerate?

A lawn that is not exposed to soil compacting events will likely grow well and may not need aerated. Winter freezing and thawing cycles and earthworm activity can help loosen slightly compacted soils. If the lawn has a thatch layer in excess of 1/2 inch, then core cultivation can be used as a preventative approach to control excess thatch build up. Newly seeded or sodded lawns should not be aerated in the first year.

 

When should I aerate?

There is no bad time. Warm season lawns like Bermuda grass are best aerated during April. To Aerate an average size lawn is $75.
To schedule your lawn for an aeration CLICK HERE or call 972-881-0840.