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Aeration
 

Aeration is the spiking of a lawn and can be done with a garden fork or a rotary spiker.

Let Your Lawn Breath: Core Aeration

Of all the things that build a healthy, thick lawn, core cultivation is second only to fertilizing. Core cultivation (also known as aeration) reduces thatch in your lawn while it opens the way for air, water and fertilizer to reach the root zone of the turf. Aeration is the "secret" to making everything else done on your lawn work even better.

Keeping Thatch Under Control

Thatch is the layer of dead and living stems, blades and roots that builds up on any well-maintained lawn. A small amount of thatch is a good thing, but when it gets over about a 1/2" it becomes a problem. Thatch harbours insects and is a breeding place for disease, too. Aeration removes thousands of plugs of soil from your lawn and deposits them above the thatch. As the plugs begin to "melt" back into the lawn, the soil mixes with the thatch and speeds up the natural process of decomposition. By aerating regularly, thatch is managed and seldom becomes a serious (and expensive) problem. Everyone loves a free meal. Free food always brings in a crowd. It’s true of your lawn too. The growth pockets that are created when aeration cores are removed put food and water in easy reach of the turf roots. The root system of the lawn actually grows toward these pockets and becomes deeper and stronger. Better roots mean a thicker and healthier lawn.

‘Softer’ Soil

Heavy clay soils become very compacted over time. Clay soil particles are small and tightly packed with little space between for water, air and root movement. We’ve all felt this kind of "hard" soil underfoot, and turf has a tough time growing deep roots when it has to fight so hard for room to grow. Core cultivation allows the soil to "relax" or expand which means roots can penetrate deeper and further. Over a period of time, this results in soil that is softer and more open. Aeration or core cultivation is one of the best things you can do to improve and grow your lawn.

Summary

Core cultivation helps keep thatch under control, which reduces the need for expensive renovation.

Growth zones capture air, water and fertilizer, putting "dinner" within easy reach of the turf roots.
 

Soil compaction forces lawns to thin. Aeration helps open the soil for better growth.