Aeration Information

Aeration is the process of mechanically removing small plugs of thatch and soil from the lawn to improve soil aeration. The aeration process is also called core aeration in the lawn service industry, and homeowners often refer to it as aeration.

Soil Compaction:

Most lawns, particularly heavily used ones, have compacted soil, which restricts the movement of air and water to the root zone. Walking, playing, and mowing are forms of traffic that compact soil and stress lawns. Raindrops and sprinklers increase soil density by compacting soil particles and reducing air spaces where roots may readily grow. Core aeration helps heavily used lawns and lawns growing on compacted soils by improving the depth and extent of turfgrass rooting, allowing better water uptake, and speeding up thatch breakdown. 

Thatch Build-up:

Most lawns are subject to thatch accumulation. Core aeration breaks through dense thatch and opens up the soil to permit free movement of water, fertilizer, and air. Even the cores left on the top of the lawn after aeration have their own thatch reducing mission. It takes about 7-10 days for the cores to break down and dissolve back into the soil. The bacteria in the cores reduces the thatch layer naturally by allowing the micro bacterial organisms to speed decomposition of remaining thatch. 

Aeration Benefits:

• Enhances water, fertilizer, and oxygen uptake and use
• Reduces water runoff and puddling
• Improves turfgrass rooting
• Reduces soil compaction
• Enhances heat and drought stress tolerance
• Improves resiliency and cushioning
• Enhances thatch breakdown

When should lawns be aerated? 

Like getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist once or twice a year, lawn aeration is one of those annual or biannual lawn maintenance activities that improve the total health of your lawn. Lawns growing on heavy clay and exposed to intense use benefit from biannual aeration. Aeration should be done during the turfs growing season (mid-February through mid-November).

What to expect after aeration: 

Immediately after aeration, your lawn will be dotted with small plugs. Within a week or two, these plugs will break apart and disappear into the lawn. About 7-10 days after aeration, the aerification holes will begin to be filled with white, actively growing roots. These are a sign that the turfgrass is responding to the additional oxygen, moisture and nutrients in the soil from the core aeration process. After aeration, your lawn should be able to go longer between waterings, without showing signs of wilt. With repeat aerations over time, your lawn will show enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance. Lawns that are aerated regularly will be healthier, more vigorous, easier to maintain and have fewer pest problems than lawns that are neglected.

 To give your lawn an added boost, we recommend you have dethatching services performed in conjunction with aeration.

What is the cost for Core Aeration?

While most homeowners could perform aeration themselves, sometimes it is just simply more cost effective to hire the work done. Rental of a professional grade aerator will run you about $95 from local hardware or rental stores. On top of that, you will have to transport the machine (weighing nearly 450lbs) and perform the work yourself. Olympic Landscape Maintenance, LLC provides professional core aeration service starting at around $45, which could save you money right away. Obviously the price depends on several factors, including lot size, landscape terrain (hills, slopes etc.) and accessibility. We would be more than happy to provide you with a FREE, NO OBLIGATION quote for your lawn. Simply contact us via phone or email and we can schedule a time to visit your property.

Our Aeration Equipment is safe on sprinklers - GUARANTEED!!! 
 

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