Core Aeration is a means of supplying the soil with air, by poking holes in the ground throughout the lawn using an aerator. It reduces soil compaction and helps reduce the thatch layer which blocks water, oxygen, and fertilizer from penetrating to the root of the plant. Core aeration allows water and fertilizer to get down to the root zone.
Core Aeration will greatly improve a lawn if scheduled on a yearly basis.
A lawn can be aerated at any time the ground is not frozen, but shouldn’t be done when it is extremely hot and dry. Heavy traffic areas will require core aeration more frequently.
Just like you wouldn’t mow a lawn that’s soaking wet or apply a winterizer fertilizer in June, aeration also requires specific timing. The time of year you tackle aeration and how often you aerate depends on grass and soil type.
Know Your Turf
Lawn grasses fall into two different categories: warm season and cool season. Warm season grasses begin their period of active growth in summer. If you aerate a warm season lawn in late spring to early summer, the ensuing period of rapid growth will quickly fill in the holes you create.
Cool season grass emerges from summer dormancy in early fall and grows vigorously during the lower temperatures and reduced weed competition typical of fall. Strong growth helps the lawn quickly recover from the stress of core aeration. Time aeration to allow four weeks of growing time prior to frost.
Warm season grass types – aerate in late spring / early summer:
– Bahia grass
– Bermudagrass
– Buffalo grass
– Centipede grass
– St. Augustinegrass
– Zoysia grass
Cool season grass types – aerate in fall:
– Creeping bentgrass
– Fescue
– Kentucky bluegrass
– Rough bluegrass
– Ryegrass
Core Aeration Varies With Soil Type
Different soil types require different aeration. Clay soil compacts easily and should be aerated at least once a year. You can aerate a sandy lawn once a year, or you could tackle the chore in alternating years. In arid climates, aerating twice a year will enhance turf growth and health.
Timing Tips
– When you know you’re going to aerate, do so just prior to fertilizing or reseeding your lawn. Core aeration creates openings for nutrients and seed to penetrate soil.
– Control weeds prior to aerating because the process can spread weed seeds.
– Wait for at least a year to aerate newly planted lawns so that grass is well established.
– Aerate when soil is moist, but not saturated. The tines of a lawn aerator penetrate moist soil more deeply; soil that’s too wet clogs tines.
– Avoid aerating during drought or high heat. If you aerate in these conditions, you’ll stress the lawn by allowing heat to dry soil.
Get your project done right and let Lawn Pros core aeration in Colorado help you get the grass you always wanted. Give us a call for a free quote (719) 963-6267 or (720) 221-3606.
We offer core aeration in/around the following Colorado cities:
Aurora, Broomfield, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Centennial, Cherry Hills, Colorado Springs, Columbine, Commerce City, Denver, Englewood, Franktown, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Ken Caryl, Lakewood, Larkspur, Littleton, Lone Tree, Monument, Parker, Thornton, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge.