Aeration

What are the Benefits of Aeration?

Core aeration helps the lawn’s health and vigor, and reduces maintenance requirements. The following are other benefits of core aeration:

• Reduces compaction of soil which allows grass to produce a stronger, healthier root system. Stronger roots will always be a great benefit to your lawn.
• Fertilizer can get down to the root system more readily.
• An aerated lawn will absorb sufficient amount of water.
• Reduces water runoff and puddling.
• Aeration breaks up the thatch layer.
• Enhances heat and drought stress tolerance.
• Prunes the root system which promotes growth.
• Allows air circulation in root system.

When should lawns be aerated?

Annual aeration is beneficial for all lawns. Lawns growing on heavy clay or subsoil, and lawns exposed to intense use, benefit from two or more aerations each year.
Spring and fall are ideal times to aerate. We generally recommend aerating in the fall, after the stress of summer. Aeration, in combination with fertilization, enhances root growth and improves spring green-up.

Why Overseed at the Time of Aeration?

Overseeding at the time of Aeration is a great way to thicken up a thin lawn or introduce better grass types to a lawn. The rule of thumb is that weeds will grow where there is no grass.  So a thick lawn results in less weeds and is not as susceptible to diseases.
Simply spreading grass seed over a lawn will give results but not as effective when  in accordance with aeration. By aerating first, the soil is cultivated, greatly improving the results. The majority of the new grass will grow in the aeration holes.