What is Lawn Core Aeration?

Lawn Core Aeration is a simple process of removing small cores of soil and grass to allow air, water and nutrients into the root zone. Another way of aerating a lawn is to use a spike aerator that punches spikes into the lawn to make small holes. However, this method isn’t considered as effective as core aerating.

What are the Benefits of Aerating Your Lawn?

The biggest benefit to aerating your lawn is allow sufficient oxygen to reach the grass roots. Heavy soil compaction severely reduces the pore space around grass roots which limits the amount of oxygen in that region. Roots require oxygen to grow and absorb water and nutrients. Core aeration benefits lawns by:

• Increasing the activity of soil microorganisms that decompose thatch
• Enhancing water infiltration from rainfall and irrigation
• Improving root growth
• Increasing water, oxygen and nutrient movement in the root zone
• Helping to prevent run off of fertilizers and pesticides

How do you determine if your lawn needs aeration?

Most lawns can benefit from lawn aeration. However, the biggest reasons to aerate are heavily used lawns, thatch layers greater than 1/2 inch and soils that are mostly clay. An easy way to test your soil is to peal back a section and check the depth of roots. If the roots are only a couple inches deep then your lawn could probably benefit from core aeration. Consider the types of water pressure regulators that will work best for your home.

When should you aerate?

Aeration is best for your lawn just before active growth is expected.  For warm season grasses, aeration should be done in the early Spring, and for cool season grasses, in early Fall.

Contact us to learn more about our core aeration services.