Core Aeration
What is Core Aeration?
Core aeration is a means of mechanically penetrating a thatch layer and creating air space in the root zone of your lawn. It is usually performed with power equipment with hollow tines on a rotating drum which self-propel over the lawn. There are also aerating attachments, which may be towed by lawn tractors. It can also be done using simple, non-mechanized equipment, which usually takes far more time to complete.
What are the benefits of core aeration?
Improve airflow in compact soils. Grass roots require a certain amount of porous space to “breathe.” If there is a high amount of clay in the soil, these pores may become too small (or nonexistent) for effective root development, thereby resulting in shallow, weak, root systems which are more susceptible to stress associated with heat, drought, insects, disease, and weeds. Compaction may also occur in high traffic areas with more normal soils.
Penetrate a thatch layer. Thatch is the accumulation of grass roots and shoots that may accumulate over time. Excess clippings can also contribute to this problem. This thatch accumulation, while beneficial if maintained at < ½”, may inhibit the flow of air, water and nutrients to the roots if it becomes too thick, causing the same restricted root development as in compact soils. Thick thatch is also an excellent home for lawn pests, such as sod webworms, chinchbugs, and various turf diseases. It may also inhibit recovery from any drought damage.
Revitalize your lawn after a tough season. Lawns that have been damaged from heat, drought, insects, or disease may have some patches that won’t recover without a little help. While turf is amazingly resilient and may slowly recover after apparently being dead during the summer, core aeration can speed up the recovery process, especially when performed in the late summer or fall season.
As part of the renovation process. If your lawn is thin from any of the above problems, core aeration can create a seedbed for planting new grass. The soil cores that remain after aeration will quickly break down to “top dress” your lawn with mineral soil, which seed needs to germinate. The core holes also expose soil to air, water, and nutrients, therefore prompting new growth not only from the existing lawn, but also from any seed that may be sown following the aeration process. This is not a complete substitute for slice-seeding, but can be an effective and more economical alternative to it where large areas of turf are not completely killed or damage is sporadic.
When should this be done?
The spring, late summer or fall is best. Avoid aerating during the heat of summer, since the grass is already under stress. Exposure of the roots to more heat will only add to the problem. We usually perform the bulk of our aerations in the late summer/fall, since it affords the turf the greatest opportunity for recovery before the next season.
How often should this be done?
The frequency depends on the type of lawn. If you have heavy soils and thick turf that has a tendency to have disease problems and/or burn out and not recover, then you may consider annual aeration.
How does Green Way core aeerate
We use the best equipment to perform this service, with the closest hole spacing available and consistently deep penetration (approximately 2.75”). If we need to seed any areas, we’ll go over them twice to increase the opportunity for seed establishment.
For those of you with in-ground irrigation systems, we’ll be sure to contact you prior to the work to ensure that our work does not damage any sprinkler heads. Since a properly installed irrigation system’s plumbing is installed at a depth of 6”, or so, there’s little danger of damage from the core tines.
Please call or e-mail to authorize this valuable service