American Yard Service & Irrigation - Aeration Services
Aeration, technically speaking, 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 soil aeration.
Core aeration helps the lawn's health and vigor, and it reduces maintenance requirements. The following are other benefits of core aeration.
- Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere
- Enhanced soil water uptake.
- Improved fertilizer uptake and use.
- Reduced water runoff and puddling.
- Improved turfgrass rooting.
- Reduced soil compaction.
- Enriched surface soil.
- Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance.
- Improved resiliency and cushioning.
- Enhanced thatch breakdown.
Annual aeration is beneficial for most lawns. Lawns growing on heavy clay or subsoils, and lawns exposed to intense use benefit from more than one aeration each year. Immediately after aeration, the lawn will be dotted with small plugs pulled from the soil. Within a week or two, these plugs of thatch and soil break apart and disappear into the lawn. About 7 to 10 days after aeration, the aerification holes will be filled with white, actively growing roots. On compacted soils and on lawns with slopes, an immediate difference will be seen in reduced water puddling and runoff after irrigation and rainfall.
If a lawn has not been aerated, do not expect miracles from a single aeration, particularly on lawns growing on extremely poor soils. Most lawns benefit from properly scheduled annual aeration.