What is lawn Aeration?

Aerating a lawn means supplying the soil with air, by poking holes in the ground throughout the lawn using an aerator. It reduces soil compaction and helps control thatch in lawns while helping water and fertilizer move into the root zone.

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.

Aeration improves air flow in the sensitive root-zone area. The most common and effective aerating techniques are core aeration and power raking. Lawn aeration involves the removal of small soil plugs or cores out of the lawn. Most aeration is done with a machine having hollow tines or spoons mounted on a disk or drum. 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. Core aeration is a recommended lawn care practice on compacted, heavily used turf and to control thatch buildup.

What does aeration do for my lawn?

• Increases the activity of soil microorganisms that decompose thatch.

• Increases water, nutrient and oxygen movement into the soil.

• Improves rooting.

• Enhances infiltration of rainfall or irrigation.

• Helps prevent fertilizer and pesticide run-off from overly compacted areas.