What is aeration?
Aeration is the process, through several different means, of allowing increased “air” into the soil profile. There are 2 main kinds of aeration, although cutting into the ground in any way, will break the surface tension and allow for that all important “pore space.” Those 2 kinds consist of Hollow Tine and Solid Tine. If you’ve ever been on a golf course during aeration season, you know exactly what hollow tines are. They go into the ground, mostly in a mechanized way, to "pull a plug” and those plugs land on the surface of what’s being aerated. It’s a great way to remove excess thatch as well. Solid tine aeration is just that, a hard, solid spike that pushes in the ground. Solid tines do not remove anything, they just break surface tension, allowing for increased air and water.
Why aerate? Is it important?
Aeration is a very important job that should be performed every other year on the average residential lawn, although sometimes the lawns are so bad that it could be required more often. On highly managed turf such as golf courses or tennis courts like Wimbledon, doing it at least 2 times a year is typical, and depending on the amount of play on these surfaces, more could be needed. I will say that in my many years working closely with turf on the golf course maintenance side, 2 hollow tine aerations were normal and we would try to sneak it a mid-summer solid tine or spike just to break the tension. There are many reasons to aerate: (1) Break surface tension allowing for increased air and water. (2) Pull excess thatch out allowing for increased water solubility and increased nutrients as the fertilizer you applied in spring shouldn’t still be sitting in the thatch layer in fall. Making holes to allow seed to fall into the holes and germinate to make a healthy, happy lawn or stand of turf.
What is surface tension?
Surface tension is a phenomenon that occurs, and we’re talking turf/ground conditions, when compaction from people walking, riding machinery etc. compress the ground over time. And when the rain shuts off and we don’t water as much, the “pore space” or space between soil particles shrinks due to arid conditions, and the surface “tightens” up and is pretty impervious, thus making it hard for air, water and nutrition to reach the roots. Aerating, no matter which main kind, or how you do it, creates that all-important pore space mechanically. Have you ever watered plants that are so dry that the soil is like a rock? Well, that’s surface tension.
What machines work best for aeration?
There are more-than-a-few machines or things that can be employed for aeration. There are different size walk-behind models like many companies or weekend warriors use. There are larger ride-on varieties ranging from something around 40 inches wide to larger tractor towed machines. There are also more labor-intensive ways such as pushing a drum with spikes on it, or those stupid shoes with spikes that you wear while you’re cutting you lawn. However, you do it, know that you’re doing good work. This coupled with a nice Organic fertilization program and following any recommendations you may have received from a good soil test (and companies should ALWAYS recommend that on new customer lawns), you’ll be well on your way to having “the greenest grass on your side of the fence,” as the great Jerry Baker used to say.
*** Plant Health Organics is a 100% Organic land care company serving Central NJ and Bucks County PA. We are PROUD of the work we do and know full well that what we do is BEST for you and our world. Contact us at 908-335-0553.***
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