Frequently Asked Questions
What is core lawn aeration?
Core Lawn Aeration is the process of making cork sized holes in your lawn and distributing the pieces on the surface to decompose. This process allows fertilizer, oxygen, & water to penetrate deep into the roots where healthy grass germinates.
How can I determine if my yard is a good candidate for lawn aeration?
Common clay soils, more than ½” thatch, frequently traffic areas, standing water after rain or arrogations, or lawns that easily brown up in heat are great candidates. IF you ask a landscape maintenance pro, they will say that any & every lawn can benefit from lawn aeration.
How frequently should a lawn be aerated?
In regions where the soil has a high clay percentage, thatch build up and compaction is more noticeable, lawn aeration should be performed twice a year. Annual aeration's should be performed twice a year in regions that have more sandy soils.
Will lawn aeration accelerate grass growth?
Yes, healthy grass will grow faster and thicker.
Is Lawn Aeration just a single time service/fix that can be discontinued when the lawn has produced healthier results and growing conditions?
No, lawn aeration needs to be a continuous, yearly process of lawn care. It is just as essential as mowing, fertilizing, irrigations, & weed & pest control. If your lawn has never been aerated or has not had this service done for a while, you should start out with two aeration's per year, then slowly reduce that number to one.
When should aeration be scheduled?
Lawn aeration should be performed two out the four seasons in order to maximize your lawns full growing & health potential. Spring, from march to may should be your first aeration of the year. Followed by a full aeration between August and November. For warmer grasses such as Bermuda buffalo & st. Augustine, a late spring & summer aeration should be done.(may to july).
How deep & how many core are necessary for beneficial aeration?
Generally, cores that are 4” – 6” apart and from 2” – 3” deep will produce best results. It is a recognized rule of thumb that closer and deeper plugs pulled from your lawn are better and produce the best results.
What is the duration period for cores left on the lawn to disappear?
Depending on variables such as soil conditions, weather, mowing and watering frequently, the cores will break down and vanish in roughly two weeks. This process will add nutrients to the lawn. Attempts of raking up cores will reduce aeration efforts and effectiveness.
No; spiking packs in the soil instead of removing the core. While short term benefits are sometimes visible, there are no long-term benefits to this method.
Should sod or newly seeded grass be aerated?
No; sod should not be aerated for at least one year. Newly seeded lawns can be aerated by the second full season of growth. Aeration is a good way to help prepare soil prior to seeding or sod installation.
It is very important to cover the entire area of your yard. Very often places close to sidewalks and driveways have heavy traffic and a lot of compaction. These tight areas are where weeds can invade and where irrigation systems have poor coverage.
Having dry soil decreases the depth of cores and aeration effectiveness. Muddy, wet soil allows for a deep aeration but reduces pulling clean and solid cores. I is important not to over water. Aerating should take place 12-24 hours after your irrigation system waters your lawn or after a 1/2” of steady rain fall for best results.
Yes, that is why you or the aeration technician must flag off all items in the yard that may case damage by the tines.
Fertilize immediately after aeration takes place. This will achieve the best results for your lawn and best return on your fertilizer investment. Fertilizing directly after will also allow the fertilizer to easily and effectively penetrate into the root system.
No, fertilize the same amount. This will provide fast and healthy results because the fertilizer is penetrating into the root system where the cores have been removed by the aerator tines.
Yes; fertilizer can easily get to the root structure immediately after aeration.
The appropriate time to apply pre emergent is directly after core aeration. This will reduce the amount of weed invasion in the lawn while grass is spreading to the cored holes that have been created. Note: Do NOT apply pre emergent if you plan on overseeing.