Lawn Aeration

Aeration is the process of mechanically removing small plugs of thatch and soil from the lawn to improve natural soil aeration. It’s commonly called “core aeration” in the lawn service industry, and you may have heard of it as soil cultivation (coring, spiking and slicing). Most homeowners simply call it aeration.
riker volchok lawn aeration and lawn care in kitchener waterloo cambridge guelph ontario
A lawn in compacted soil (left) grows slowly, lacks vigor and becomes thin or does not grow at all. Core aeration (center) removes small cores of soil, depositing them on the surface of the lawn. This allows the lawn to grow new, deeper roots which provides a stronger more full and lush lawn (right)

Aeration Benefits

  • Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere.
  • Enhanced soil water uptake.
  • Improved fertilizer uptake and use.
  • Reduced water runoff and puddling.
  • Stronger turfgrass roots.
  • Reduced soil compaction.
  • Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance.
  • Improved resiliency and cushioning.
  • Enhanced thatch breakdown.

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    If you would like to receive a lawn aeration quote simply send us your contact information and address. We can measure your lawn size online and send you a price specific to your home. 

Why is Aerating Necessary?

In most home lawns, fertile topsoil may have been removed or buried during excavation of the basement or footings, forcing grass to grow in subsoil that is more compact, higher in clay content, and less likely to sustain a healthy lawn.
Walking, playing and mowing will compact soil and stress lawns.  Raindrops and irrigation further compact the soil, reducing large air spaces where roots readily grow.  Compaction is greater on heavy clay soils than on sandy soils, and it is greatest in the upper 1 to 1-1/2 inches of soil.
Aeration can help relieve soil compaction, allowing your grass to grow deeper roots and make better use of water and fertilizer.

How often should aeration be done?

Most lawns benefit from annual aeration. Heavily used lawns, or those growing on heavy clay or subsoils may need more than one aeration each year. 
Both spring and fall are ideal times to aerate. In spring, aerate between March and May. Perform fall aeration between August and November. Aeration before or at the time of late season fertilization enhances root growth and improves spring green-up and growth.