Aeration

Core Aeration

Simply put, core aeration is the mechanical removal of a small core of soil and thatch.

Core aeration benefits your lawn in important ways:

• Improved penetration of air and water to the root zone.
• Increased fertilizer uptake.
• Can help reduce water runoff.
• Stimulates new root and shoot growth from excising turf grass.
• Helps to reduce soil compaction.
• Enhanced thatch breakdown.
• More effective disease and insect control.
• Improved heat and drought stress.

But of course the most important result of core aeration is a healthier, more beautiful lawn.

Core aerate at least once a year.

Bringing up cores is one of the most important forms of preventive maintenance you can give your lawn, and should be done at least once a year. Some lawns need to have this done twice a year. Talk to us - we'll recommend the schedule that will help to relieve your thatch and compaction problems.

The plugs will disappear.

Once core aerated, your lawn will be dotted with the little plugs we've pulled from the soil. These cores are approximately 1/2” in diameter and 3 - 4” long. These will break apart and disappear into the lawn within a week or two.

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Thatch Management

Thatch is the layer of dead roots, stems, and crowns that can form on top of the soil surface.

This layer of organic matter acts almost as a blanket covering the soil surface. A thatch layer of 1/2” or less is acceptable and does have some benefit for the lawn. However, thatch layers greater than 1/2” can be the source of many lawn problems.

Heavy thatch levels can prevent the penetration of air, light, and water to the root zone of your lawn. Fertilizer and other nutrients essential for good turf growth, are likewise unable to reach the soil. Excessive thatch layers also provide ideal breeding ground for many turf damaging insects and diseases.

It is important to note that grass clippings left on the lawn do not contribute to this thatch layer. Grass clippings are composed mostly of water. Once these clippings dry out there is very little organic matter left. What is left will typically break down very quickly.

Thatch can be most successfully managed with Core Aeration.

Core aeration is an important element in any successful lawn maintenance program. Frequency and timing of aeration will vary depending on soil composition and the overall condition of your lawn.