Fall Core Aeration
Core Aeration every fall is an important part of having a healthy lawn. Core aeration is the process of perforating the soil mechanically, which removes small plugs of soil and thatch. Aeration is important to allow water, air, and nutrients reach the roots of grass plants, loosens compacted soil, and helps to reduce thatch. This will help the lawn develop stronger and deeper root systems, thus allowing a stronger and more durable lawn.
Core Aeration is done by running an aerator across your lawn. The aerator will pull “plugs” out of the soil which are typically 2' to 4” deep and are spaced approximately 4” apart. The plugs will remain on the lawn and should not be raked up. This is important for the lawn because the decomposing plugs increase microbial soil activity, which helps to reduce thatch.
Benefits of Core Aeration
Lawns can benefit from aeration yearly. Additionally, lawns with compacted soil in newer developments and lawns with high traffic from children and pets, should definitely be aerated. After a very hot and dry summer, there is no better thing for a lawn than a core aeration. Overseeding should always be done in conjunction with core aeration, which significantly improves the seed's chances of germination.
The best time to overseed is in the fall, when more moisture, coupled with cooler weather, allows for optimal growth for the spring growing season. Combining fall overseeding with aeration and fertilizer will give you excellent results.