Lawn Aeration Basics Infographic

LAWN AERATION BASICS
What is Aeration?
Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the
grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn.
The main reason for aerating is to alleviate soil compaction. Compacted soils have too many solid particles
in a certain volume or space, which prevents proper circulation of air, water and nutrients within the soil.
Excess lawn thatch or heavy organic debris buried under the grass surface can also starve the roots from
these essential elements.
When Should I Aerate?
Any yard can benefit from at least an annual aeration. Any areas of high traffic that look worn, yards that
don’t green up after fertilizing or brown easily in high heat conditions, yards with poor drainage that have
standing water after it rains, and homes built on poor subsoil with clay are all excellent reasons to aerate
your yard. It is recommended to aerate twice a year in both Spring ( Mar - May ) and Fall
( Aug - Nov ) for most grass types. At a minimum aeration should be done at least once a year.
Aerator Types
Hand Aerator
If you have a small lawn, a hand aerator
can be quite effective. Basic models
resemble a rake. They loosen up the
surface soil which enhances access to
water and air by the roots.
Aerator Shoes
These shoes have spikes at the bottom
with spikes a couple of inches long. The
spikes create holes in the lawn surface
which allows air, water and nutrients to
flow through better.
Plug Aerators
Powered Aerators
These aerators use hollow tines to
plunge into the ground and pull out
plugs from the soil. This creates a direct
and more effective link between
surface air and the subsurface soil.
Powered aerators can use plugs or
spikes to aerate the soil. They typically are the easiest and most time
saving of all aerators.
Rolling Aerators
Spike Aerators
These make some of the most efficient
aeration tools on the market. The tool
resembles a wheel with spikes which
you roll over the lawn surface.
These tools have long spikes at the end
which you push into the soil. The spikes
cause small holes when worked into
the soil surface.
How Aeration Works
O2
H2O
THATCH LAYER
SHALLOW ROOTS
DEEPER ROOTS
COMPACTED HARD SOIL
NUTRIENTS
BEFORE
IMMEDIATELY
AFTER
8 - 10 WEEKS
AFTER
*sources: www.briggsandstratton.com, www.doityourself.com, www.besthort.com & www.theaeratorguys.com
317.884.8189
www.runyonrental.com
410 W. Carmel Dr.
Carmel, IN 46032