Aerating a Lawn

Aeration or coring is the practice by which hollow tines or spoons are used to extract cores from the turf.  The depth of coring usually ranges from 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches.  Benefits of aeration are the following:

1. Release of toxic gases from the soil.
2. Improved wetting of dry or hydrophobic soils.
3. Accelerated drying of peristently wet soils.
4. Increased infiltration capacity.
5. Stimulated root growth within the holes.
6. Increased shoot growth atop the holes.
7. Disruption of soil-layers resulting from topdressing.
8. Control of thatch, especially where soil cores are reincorporated.
9. Improved turfgrass response to fertilizers and grub prevention.
10. Better results for overseeding the lawn.