Time to Aerate!
You may see little holes in your association's grass and wonder what that's all about.
“Aerating” the soil means pulling out little plugs of soil usually about 1/2 in thick to 3-6 inches long across the surface.
Those holes loosen the soil and make it easier for air, water, and nutrients to reach down to the roots and improve lawn health. Removing small cores of soil from your lawn reduces soil compaction and promotes root growth for healthier grass!
Benefits of Aerating
Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere.
Enhanced soil water uptake.
Improved fertilizer uptake and use.
Reduced water runoff and puddling.
Stronger turfgrass roots.
Reduced soil compaction.
Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance.
Improved resiliency and cushioning.
Enhanced thatch breakdown.
How to Aerate Effectively
Aerate when lawns are growing well. For cool season turf late summer/ early fall is ideal but early spring is acceptable. For warm season lawns, mid to late spring is best.
Aerate when soil is moist, but not wet.
Avoid aeration during periods of stress.
Make sure the aerator doesn’t hit sprinker lines or underground utilities
Backfill aeration holes with porous soil amendment or organic material to improve porosity and infiltration of water and nutrients.
