F.A.Q

Aeration

Does my lawn need aeration? Not every lawn will require this service! We look for these three symptoms to determine if your lawn would benefit from aeration. These are all reliable indicators of soil compaction. If the answer to one or more of these questions is “yes”, it is likely your lawn will benefit from aeration.

  • Does your lawn have excessive thatch? (1/2 inch or more) Yes/No

  • Has water usage increased over time? Yes/No

  • Does your lawn suffer from localized dry spots? Yes/No

When should I have aeration performed?

April-May and September-October are the best times to have this service performed. Note that weather conditions play a factor and exact timing can vary slightly year to year. It is important the lawn is actively growing to allow for a quick recovery period following service. The early spring and fall windows correspond with optimal conditions for grass seed germination as well as proper soil conditions for machine operation. It is important the soil be damp but not overly saturated.

What is the difference between “Coring” vs “Spiking”?

Our service is performed using a “solid tine”, or a “coring tine.” We can help you determine which option is makes the most sense for your lawn. Generally speaking we recommend spike aeration in the spring and core aeration in the fall.

Core aeration will remove a “plug” of soil which is deposited on the surface. (late summer/fall) Coring has the added benefit of reducing surface compaction.

Solid tine aeration or “spiking” delivers many of the same benefits while causing less disturbance. This service can be highly effective during a wider range of conditions.

Can I do this myself?

Absolutely! Many of our customers initially rented a machine and performed this work themselves! The majority find that between the cost of rental, transport, and fatigue associated with running the machine, it is often worth the cost of hiring a professional.

What about the manual “fork” aerators I see online? We typically do not recommend this method. While these tools can be effective, it is worth considering the time and labor involved.