What is Core Aeration?
Has your lawn developed bare patches and thin, weak areas of turf? If so, your lawn most likely needs to be aerated.
Core aeration is the process of breaking up soil to let air and moisture access the root system and let it breathe. This allows for much needed nutrients to reach your grass. This is especially important in lawns with heavy clay soils (like most of Indiana) where compaction and drainage are problematic, making core aeration one of the BEST things you can do for your lawn!
The Process of Core Aeration
Core aeration involves creating small holes in the ground. Two tools are mainly used in this process: a spike aerator or a plug aerator. Spike aerators have solid spikes that poke holes into the ground. Plug aerators use hollow tines to pull plugs out of the ground. Plug aerators are more effective in the aeration process because they remove the plugs of soil instead of compacting it further.
Not sure how to aerate your lawn? No problem! We’ll do the hard work for you with our lawn aeration service. We bring our own equipment that pulls plugs of your soil from your lawn to let it breathe! You can learn more about our lawn care services and book your appointment here.
The Best Time to Aerate
The best time to aerate your lawn is early fall. During the fall, the temperatures are moderate and the grass is actively storing nutrients while establishing and strengthening its root system. When aeration is done during this time, your yard is given time to heal and fill in any open areas after the soil plugs are removed. By the time spring arrives, your lawn will look lush and healthy.
Don’t Forget To Over-Seed
If your grass is looking thin and weak, you may need to over-seed your lawn. Over-seeding is the process of putting grass seed on top of your existing lawn to create a fuller, healthier looking yard. It helps to replace older, worn out grass with new, healthy seeds. It is usually done in conjunction with aeration because both are best done during early fall. Over-seeding will cause your lawn to thicken up dramatically the following spring, which not only looks great but also naturally eliminates early spring weeds from taking hold!
Indiana Soil and Core Aeration
Living in Indiana comes with many lawn care challenges. Our state tends to have hard, compact clay soil that stifles the growth of grass. Aeration breaks up this soil and lets the roots of the grass access nutrients, air, and water.
Aeration may also be needed if you recently had landscaping services or construction done that included the use of heavy equipment. This equipment might have packed the soil down, suffocating the grass underneath. Aeration allows these damaged or patchy spots to grow back healthier than before!
More questions? Check out our video on aeration!
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