Core aeration

 

Core aeration is a critical maintenance practice available for your lawn.  Core aeration improves the soil structure by creating growth pockets for new roots and a path for water and fertilizer to reach the root zone of your lawn.  Many lawns become compacted and covered by thatch that simply makes water and nutrients run off before they can reach the turf roots.   Extended drought has made most soils so hard and compact that rainfall from gentle, soaking showers will not benefit the lawn, because it runs off before it can reach the roots.  Annual aeration is recommended for all lawns with compacted soil, thatch buildup, or any lawn that needs to be thickened up.

 

 

How Aeration Works

Core aeration removes small cores or plugs of soil 1” to 3” in length from the turf, as shown in the picture above.  These cores break up after a few rainfalls, mixing with the top layer of thatch, and effectively create a nutrient rich, thin layer of compost.  This layer provides an excellent source of natural fertilizer for the lawn.  The holes created by aeration catch fertilizer and water.  Turf roots naturally grow toward these growth pockets and thicken in the process.  Aeration holes also relieve pressure from compacted soils (sometimes created by extended drought), letting oxygen and water move freely in the root zone. 

 

 

Aeration and Overseeding

After Core aeration overseeding can be done.  Overseeding is done by broadcasting grass seeds over the lawn.   The new seeds will settle into the aeration holes, and the surface of the lawn.  As the aeration cores begin to breakdown, the seeds on the surface will find a perfect combination of soil cover and nitrogen to thrive.  This process can be used to fill in a “patchy” or “thin” lawn, resulting in a beautiful thick lawn.  This process can be done to the whole lawn or simply the areas that are in the worst condition.  Please call us today at 774-245-1336 to contact us about these services for your lawn.