Lawn aeration is a process of opening up the top layer of soil in a lawn to allow the grass roots more space to grow & receive nutrients & water. The best type of aerators are core aerators.  Lawn aeration can be done in one of 3 ways:

1. Pulling 2-4 inch plugs or cores from the soil.

2. Poking 2-4 inch holes in the soil.

3. Using a soil conditioner to loosen up the top layer of the soil.

Each of these ways of aeration can be effective if done properly and often enough.

Our lawns take a lot of wear. They are played on, they have toxins put on them (pesticides & herbicides), and they go through harsh winters & hot summers. Each of these things plays a role in creating less than optimal soil conditions for healthy grass to grow.

All of the wear causes soil compaction. Soil compaction is when the soil binds very closely together. Although grass roots can push through such tight soil, it is very difficult for them (sometimes it can be as difficult as growing through cement). Lawn aeration gives space in the root zone allowing the grass roots to expand and deepen much easier. It also allows water, air, and other nutrients to reach the grass roots, again increasing the health of the grass. As the space fills in, the soil is looser for up to a year.

For healthy grass it is essential to have healthy roots, and lawn aeration is essential to for healthy grass roots.

Some of the benefits of core aerator include:

1. Improving drainage which reduces runoff – therefore lowering your cost of watering. This is achieved by water more easily filtering down to the grass roots. At first when the holes are still quite open, the water just fills the holes in the lawn, but as the water fills in the holes they actually help to loosen up the other areas of the soil and you have long term increased saturation in your soil.

2. Reduction in soil compaction – leaving your grass roots more room to grow for long term, which gives you lush green grass.

3. Reducing drought damage – drought is very tough on grass. The hot sun and lack of water can easily cause even healthy grass to burn. But aeration allows even the smallest amount of water to get straight to the grass roots giving it more of a chance than if it had to make its way through the rock hard soil.

4. Controlling thatch development – this one has been debated a bit, but it only makes sense that with less grass dying, you will have less that developing.

Lawn aeration should be done at least one time per year, but in more mountainous areas & soils high in clay content, your lawn would benefit from aeration 2-3 times per year.

The best time to aerate is in the spring and fall, when the grass is growing quickly & when it is storing a lot of carbohydrates. Aerating during these times ensures a quick recovery.

If you have any more questions about lawn aeration let me know.