We at Sunlight Water and Us have been asked many times; What exactly are the benefits of Core Aeration. So I figured no better time than the present to sum it all up in this blog post with some frequent asked questions.
Aeration has proven to be an effective way to help thicken and maintain healthy turf. Loosening the soil by this method provides a multitude of benefits for the lawn. Aeration helps loosen the soil allowing turf to grow new roots, expand existing roots, increases gas exchange (Yes, roots need oxygen!), and absorb water more easily. Aeration also benefits our ecological systems by increasing absorption of lawn chemicals and fertilizer into the areas where they are needed and reducing run off.
Now is a great time to help your lawn recover and become prepared for the inevitable challenges to come. Beautiful lawns do not just happen; a little intervention reaps enormous benefits.
Q: What is aerating or core aeration?
A: Aeration which is also called core aeration is the process of perforating the soil, as well as any thatch layer that might exist, removing a core or plug of soil and depositing that core on the surface to break down.
The benefits of core aeration are numerous, as it can help to promote seed germination and a healthier lawn.
Q: What are some of the benefits of aeration?
A: (1) Aerating will allow water, air and fertilizer to penetrate all the way down to the root zone. This in turn allows the roots to grow deeper, creating a more healthy and thicker lawn. (2) It will also greatly reduce the chances of having thatch buildup. (3) It will reduce soil compaction. (4) It will create an optimal environment if overseeding for direct seed to soil contact.
Q: How do I know if my yard needs to be aerated?
A: To be honest any yard can benefit from at least an annual aeration. Any areas of high traffic that look worn, yards that don’t green up after fertilizing or brown easily in high heat conditions, yards with poor drainage that have standing water after it rains, and homes built on poor subsoil with clay are all excellent reasons to aerate your yard.
Q: When should I aerate and how often?
A: We recommend aerating twice a year in both Spring ( Mar – May ) and Fall ( Aug- Nov ) for most grass types. At a minimum aeration should be done at least once a year.
Q: What do I do after I aerate?
A: There are a few things you can do right after aerating like fertilizing, overseeding, and watering. What you decide depends on your personal preference and the condition of your yard. ( Reference the next three Q & A’s )
Q: What will I achieve by watering my lawn after aeration?
A: Just watering your lawn after aeration can be very beneficial at helping to break down the cores created by the aeration itself. It also allows water direct access to those newly exposed roots. If you are planning on fertilizing with your watering make sure to read all of the instructions on the fertilizer about when or if it should be watered in.
Q: Should I fertilize after aeration?
A: Yes, now is the best time to fertilize while the holes created by the aeration are still open, allowing access to the root system and before the cores start to break down. Always make sure to use the correct fertilizer treatment for the appropriate season. Also remember not to use a fertilizer with any sort of weed control or crabgrass preventer if you also plan on overseeding. If you ARE NOT overseeding a fertilizer with weed control will be fine to use.
Q: Is it a good idea to overseed after aerating?
A: If your lawn looks thin in places it never hurts to overseed after aeration. Keep in mind if you are going to overseed, plan on having your yard aerated early in the season, so as to give the seed the maximum amount of time to germinate.
Cool-season grasses, in particular, require overseeding to fill in bare areas for a healthy, thick lawn.
You should also try to overseed the same day or within a day or so after your aeration while the holes are still open and before the cores start to break down. Just another reminder if you’re fertilizing along with overseeding, DO NOT use a fertilizer with weed control. If you do, your seed will not germinate properly. If you want to fertilize in conjunction with overseeding ( which is a good idea ), just use a starter fertilizer or one without any type of weed control.
Q. How do I know weather or not to aerate or dethatch?
A: Unless you have a thatch layer that is greater than two inches, you would probably benefit more from just aerating because aeration can do two steps in one. It will break up moderate thatch buildup while also reducing soil compaction at the same time.
Q: Can aeration alone fix a yard in distress?
A: The easy answer would be that aeration will always help a yard, but may not be the end all be all. Any good lawn care program should include fertilizing, overseeding, and watering in conjunction with aeration. It should be noted that a distressed yard could be caused by other sources as well, for example various types of bugs and insects.
Q: How long will it take for the cores in my yard to disappear?
A: It usually takes around two weeks for the cores to break down. It can however be longer or shorter depending on weather conditions. Mowing can also expedite core breakdown. You do not want to rake or pick up the cores however, because this will reduce the effectiveness of the aeration.
Q: How is aeration done?
A: Aeration involves making a series of holes in the turf. The holes created will allow greater airflow and water penetration. To get your lawn aerated, we will use a machine called an aerator that makes soil contact to create perforations. Once this is done, we will apply grass seed to promote a healthier lawn.
Q: How deep do the aerators penetrate and what is the spacing between cores?
A: Our machines have the potential to penetrate up to 2.75” deep. It can be a little more or less than this depending on your type of soil and how compacted it is. The cores will be spaced approximately every 4”– 6”.
Q: Can I aerate newly laid sod and/or seeded grass?
A: For newly laid sod you should NOT aerate until somewhere between 6–12 months after it has been laid ( it depends on the month or time of year the sod was laid ). For a seeded lawn, aeration should not be done until the seedlings reach maturity.
Q: If I see improvement after my first aeration, should I still aerate in the future?
A: Yes you should continue a bi-annual or at the very least, an annual aeration program. Aeration should be a continual part of any lawn care program, just like fertilizing, overseeding, weed control, watering, and mowing is. Without it your lawn could easily begin regressing and all of your hard work will have been for nothing.
Q: Will aeration and overseeding help with soil compaction?
A: Yes! Compacted soil can prevent the growth of cool-season grasses as they prevent oxygen from getting to the roots. Soil compaction is definitely improved by core aeration, resulting in better airflow and water penetration to the surface of the soil.
Your grass roots become stronger and healthier as a result. It can also help with seed germination, which is why new grass seed is often applied after aeration.
Q: Should I add water after aeration and overseeding?
A: Knowing what to do after aeration and overseeding is important. Your aeration specialist will guide you through the aftercare process. After core aeration and grass seed application, watering the lawn is one of the first and most important things to do. By overseeding and watering your lawn, you can also promote the growth of grass plants.
Q: Are results guaranteed?
A: Nothing in life is ever guaranteed. Because we are dealing with living grasses, there could be a number of reasons for your poor lawn quality that core aeration may not be able to fix, such as fungi wreaking havoc on your lawn.
However, if your existing turf is in poor condition because of compacted soil that has prevented the development of a sound root system, core aeration and overseeding can help seeds germinate easily by promoting a healthier root zone. It will provide improved turf quality and can help to thicken existing turf.
If you are interested in finding out more about Core Aeration and Overseeding please contact us today by calling
Main Phone: (610) 653-5695
Office Phone: (610) 438-3792
or simply drop us an email and we will call you right back.
