• I’ve heard a lot about ‘core aeration’ lately, what is it?


• When is the best time to aerate my lawn?


• Should aeration be done every time I mow the lawn?


• Once the lawn has been aerated, when will we see the results?


• My grass is short and doesn’t seem to grow, will aeration help?


• The aeration process left ‘plugs’ all over my lawn – how do I get rid of them?


• Should my lawn be wet before aeration takes place?


• What is the typical cost to have a lawn aeration treatment?

 

Q. I’ve heard a lot about ‘core aeration’ lately, what is it?

A. Core aeration is driving stakes or tines deep into the soil and pulling out a core or plug of earth along with the grass. Coring the lawn typically brings up a plug of grass that is ¼ to ¾ inch in diameter and 3 inches deep.

Q. When is the best time to aerate my lawn?

A. The spring time – March through May for cold-season grass and the fall for warm-season grass – September through October are typically the best times of the year.

Q. Should aeration be done every time I mow the lawn?

A. Depending on where you live, if there is a high concentration of thatch – grassy buildup between the soil and normal grass or a large area of compacted dirt or grass, then aeration could be performed twice a year. In areas that have better soil, aerating the lawn only once a year will do a good job to keep the grass lush and healthy, which is the ultimate goal of aeration.

Q. Once the lawn has been aerated, when will we see the results?

A. Contingent upon the grasses state before aeration, some results are immediate while most results will take a couple of aeration treatments. The idea behind aeration is to get oxygen, nutrients and water down to the growing roots so they can grow healthier, this will take time.

Q. My grass is short and doesn’t seem to grow, will aeration help?

A. Yes. Aeration helps lawns maintain a healthy growth cycle and in many cases, that means to grow faster.

Q. The aeration process left ‘plugs’ all over my lawn – how do I get rid of them?

A. Do nothing. The plugs of dirt left behind from aerating the lawn will disappear in about two weeks with the help of mowing the grass and weather conditions. These aeration plugs of dirt will break down and feed the soil valuable nutrients.

Q. Should my lawn be wet before aeration takes place?

A. It is best to aerate a lawn 24 hours after it has rained but only about a ½ inch. If the soil is too wet, the holes punched by the aeration machine may cave in on themselves making a muddy mess and decreasing the roots chances of receiving the healthy nutrients, water and oxygen they need; dry soil will not allow the tines of the aeration machine to penetrate deep enough to make a difference.

Q. What is the typical cost to have a lawn aeration treatment?

A. Location determines the cost of aeration. To rent aeration machine cost between $50-$60 for every four hours of rental time. Figure one hour per 15,000 square foot of land. Lawn care service prices vary, but they might charge around $45 to $75 to aerate the same size yard.