Are There Holes in Your Turf?
If there aren't holes in your turf once or twice a year then you are not doing your turf a favor. I'm talking about aeration. According to Webster, aeration means to expose to air or to cause air to circulate throughout.

Why Aerate?
The major benefits of aeration involve the reduction of soil compaction. Aeration also oxygenates the soil, provides channels for root growth, breaks up subsoil layers and helps control thatch levels. The major culprit in soil compaction is traffic (foot or vehicular). This is a natural problem. If the soil was not compacted during construction and establishment of the turf, it would be compacted by maintenance equipment and normal use. Other benefits are: improve infiltration rates of water, improve deeper rooting thus less water, improves movement of fertilizer applications and relieves localized dry spots.

How is My Turf Aerated?
The most common way to aerate is for your land-scaper to use a core aerator. This machine pulls “plugs” from the turf and deposits these plugs on your turf. The turf should be watered well a few days before the aeration but not the night before. With the turf moist, the aerator will pull deeper cores. These cores should be about 2"-3 1/2" deep. It will benefit your turf greatly if a fertilization can follow within a few days. As the soil is opened up after the aeration, the turf should be watered well for the next week or so following the aeration. If not, the turf may dry
quickly from the greater air exchange.

When is the Best Time?
Spring, summer and fall is the best time to “open up your soil.” If your budget only allows for one time per year, then the best time would be in spring. Soils will get compacted in the winter from rains. Yes, this is a fact. Also during the winter rains, we have to mow the turf. Thus we mow when we can, even when the turf is wet, thus compaction.

What About the Plugs on the Turf?
Actually these cores or plugs are very beneficial for your turf. Think about it. The very top few inches of your turf is where the best topsoil is. That is where these cores come from. These cores should break down within 7-10 days, especially with routine irrigation and mowing practices. In areas of high children activity, it may be wise to pay your landscaper additional monies to mow up these cores. There have been instances where kids throw these cores around.

How Much Does it Cost?
Lawn aeration without picking up the cores costs approximately 2 cents per square foot or about $20 per 1000 square feet. Broken up turf areas as in condominiums or smaller areas will cost more.

Randy Newhard is President of New Way Landscape & Tree Services, a full-service landscape maintenance and arboricultural contractor serving all of San Diego County for 21 years. (858) 505-8300 www.newwaypro.com

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