Aeration 101 - What Is It, How Does It Work & More

Aeration is a lesser-known but highly valuable lawn care service that property owners in Virginia should be aware of. Without aeration, your lawn will not be able to reach its full potential. In this blog, you will learn what core aeration is, the process behind it, and how to care for your lawn after it is performed. You will also learn when the best time is to schedule aeration and why you should pair it with another crucial service called overseeding.

What does core aeration do for your lawn?

Core aeration is a lawn care service that loosens compacted soil beneath the grass on your property. This is important because soil hardens over time and restricts the flow of vital resources like water, air, and nutrients to the roots of your grass. Core aeration restores the flow of these resources so that your turf has access to all it needs to grow healthy and strong.

What is the process of core aeration?

Core aeration involves using a core aerator machine to mechanically remove tiny soil plugs, or cores, from your lawn. This process helps your lawn breathe more easily. Depending on how compacted your soil is, your lawn care professional may pass over your turf one time or two times. Single-pass core aeration is most common, but double-pass core aeration may be needed if your soil is particularly compacted.

What happens to the soil plugs?

After your core aeration service is completed, the soil plugs that have been removed will be left on your lawn. Although they aren't too aesthetically pleasing to look at, they won't be there for long. The plugs will break down within a couple of weeks and return nutrients back to your soil as they degrade.

When is the best time to aerate your lawn in Virginia?

The best time of year to aerate your lawn depends on the type of grass you have. Some properties in Virginia have warm-season turf, while others have cool-season turf. If you have a warm-season turf type such as bermudagrass or zoysia grass, you only need to aerate your lawn every two to three years in the spring months of April and May. However, if you have cool-season turf like fescue, then you should have your lawn aerated annually in the fall between September and early November.

How can you tell if your lawn needs to be aerated?

Most lawns need to be aerated, especially if they haven't been aerated recently. Soil naturally compacts over time due to foot traffic, machine traffic, and various weather conditions. If your cool-season grass hasn't been aerated in the past year, then it would benefit from core aeration. If your warm-season grass hasn't been aerated in the past two to three years, then it is time to schedule your aeration service.

Why is it important to pair aeration and overseeding together?

Aeration is an impactful service on its own, but it is even more helpful to your lawn when paired with another service called overseeding. Overseeding involves scattering grass seeds on your lawn to promote new growth, particularly in thin or patchy areas. When aeration is done before overseeding, it allows for greater seed-to-soil contact and creates ideal conditions for the seeds to grow.

Schedule your aeration service today!

If you are looking for a reputable company to aerate your lawn, then we are the team for you! We have provided professional lawn care services, including core aeration and overseeding, to residential property owners in Carrollton, VA, and nearby areas such as Smithfield and Northern Suffolk since 2008. Call us today at (757) 238-8901 to get on our schedule!