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Customer Support

303.221.6900

Add/order services or get a free quote

720.643.5853

Sales Hours Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm

What is Lawn Aeration and What Types of Aeration are There?

Aerated soil is a key component to a healthy lawn. Read about the benefits and different methods to learn what works best for you.

The Benefits and Types of Soil Aeration

Properly aerating your soil is one of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy lawn. Aeration loosens up the dirt so it can better absorb water, fertilizer, pesticides and the necessary nutrients required for a beautifully lush lawn. Without proper ventilation, your lawn will miss out on important microorganisms that prevent any number of issues, from root stress and dehydration to thatch, which is a combination of organic matter, both dead and living, that creates a barrier between the grass and the soil. Thatch is common; however, it can cause damage and disease if becomes thick and overgrown.

The three most common types of aeration – core, spike and liquid – are discussed below.

What is Core aeration

The most popular of the three, this method uses 2- to 3-inch cores that are plugged into the ground and then removed every few inches. The resulting soil is then spread across the lawn’s surface. Core aeration is especially helpful when dealing with heavily compacted lawns because the process breaks up and redistributes the soil. The resulting holes promote root growth while offering easier access to both water and essential nutrients.

What is Spike aeration

This method uses a spike to create holes in the lawn without removing any soil. Instead, it pushes the dirt further into the ground. A less common form of aeration, it’s best for soil that isn’t heavily compacted. Spike aeration is helpful for when you want to create better access to the root system prior to fertilizing or for readying the lawn for over-seeding.

What is Liquid aeration

Liquid aeration, such as N-Ext AIR-8™ + Iron8™ from BioGreen, is becoming more popular thanks to the latest scientific developments. Thought to be more effective than mechanical methods, liquid aeration creates microscopic pores in the soil that act like sponges and readily absorb and retain water. This improves water flow and, unlike traditional aeration, can permeate all of the soil, rather than every few inches.

Regularly scheduled aeration is critical when you want to keep your lawn looking its best. Your lawn is a living organism, and if the soil is heavily compacted, it misses out on the oxygen, water and nutrients required for optimum health. Loose soil offers improved ventilation and provides better access to the root system, not only for water, but also for fertilizers and weed control. If the roots have ample room to move, they have an easier time extending into the ground to feed on nutrients in the soil.

Let the lawn care specialists at Fit Turf evaluate your lawn to determine which type of aeration will work best for your yard. Our trained technicians will provide you with professional results after each and every visit. We can schedule regular appointments throughout the season to ensure your lawn stays healthy all year long. Contact our experts today.