Aeration is the process of mechanically removing small plugs of thatch and soil from the lawn to improve air exchange.
Aeration Benefits
Soil cultivation, or aeration, can help make your lawn healthier and reduce its maintenance requirements through these means:
- Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere
- Enhanced soil water uptake
- Improved fertilizer uptake
- Reduced water runoff and puddling
- Stronger turf grass roots
- Reduced soil compaction
- Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance
- Improved resiliency and cushioning
- Enhanced thatch breakdown
Aeration Timing
Your geography and grass type impact aeration timing. If you have cool season grass, such as Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, 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. Warm season grasses such as zoysia grass and Bermuda grass should be aerated in mid-spring to summer. Avoid aerating when warm season grasses are dormant as it may encourage weed competition. In addition, avoid aerating warm season grasses during spring green up, and not until after their first spring mowing.
Transform A Mantis Tiller
The Mantis tiller easily converts to a lawn and turf care machine with the help of additional attachments. Not only can it aerate, there are attachments for dethatching, edging, and crevice cleaning. Visit the Tiller Attachment page for more information.
