What is Aeration?

Serious lawn care made easy

Technically speaking, aeration is the naturally occurring process of air exchange between the soil and its surrounding atmosphere. Practically speaking, aeration is the process of mechanically removing small plugs of thatch and soil from the lawn to improve natural soil aeration. It’s commonly called “core aeration” in the lawn service industry, and you may have heard of it as soil coring or plugging.

 Aeration Benefits:

Core aeration can help make your lawn healthier and reduce its maintenance requirements through these means:

Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere. Enhanced soil water uptake. Improved fertilizer uptake and use.

Reduced water runoff and puddles. Stronger turf grass roots. Reduced soil compaction. Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance.

Improved resiliency and cushioning. Enhanced thatch breakdown.

Aeration Equipment Affects The Outcome...

Core aerators, with hollow tines, remove soil cores up to 3/4 inch diameter and up to 3 inches long. Older methods including solid-spike equipment will puncture the lawn surface and compact the surrounding soil, producing more harm than good.

How Often Should You Aerate A Lawn?

Most lawns benefit from annual aeration. Heavily used lawns, or those growing on heavy clay or sub soils may need more than one aeration each year.

When Is The Best Time To Aerate Lawns?

If you have cool season turf grass such as Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass, both spring and fall are ideal times to aerate. Fescues respond best to fall aeration. In spring, aerate between April and May. Perform fall aeration between September and October. Aeration at the time of late season fertilization enhances root growth and improves spring green-up and growth. Avoid aerating during dry summer months because you may damage an already stressed lawn. Avoid periods when weed seeds are prevalent, as that could cause weed infestation. Aerate when the soil is moist and not saturated.

At Taylor we’re serious…about keeping our lawn care equipment simple. Simple to use and transport. You will accomplish more turf care jobs in less time.