Aeration

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Core Aeration

Core aeration uses a machine to remove plugs of soil about ½" wide and 2 to 3 inches long from your lawn. This process can be done in the spring or fall, but we strongly recommend having it done in the fall. It helps reduce thatch build-up and has a much lower impact on your lawn than de-thatching. And unlike de-thatching, there is no clean up involved-- the plugs of soil break down and mix in with the existing lawn.

Benefits of Aeration:

• New grass seed germinates more quickly, due to better seed-to-soil contact created by aeration.

• Nutrients are uniformly mixed.

• Improves resiliency, cushioning, fertilizer uptake and rooting of existing turf grass.

• Reduces soil compaction and water run-off.

• Enhances water uptake, thatch breakdown, and tolerance for the stress of heat and drought.

• Beneficial micro-organisms and earthworms thrive.

• Oxygen reaches the root zone.

In many areas of Connecticut, the native soil is the type that compacts easily under foot traffic and mowers. This compaction keeps water and air from penetrating down to the roots of the grass, leading to shallow-rooted grass that is more susceptible to drought, heat stress and disease. After aeration, broadcasting grass seed is a quick way to get new seed started. With this method, the overall percentage of grass seed that actually ends up in the plug holes and germinates is lower than power-seeding; however, broadcasting is much easier and lower in cost. Many of our home-owner customers buy a bag of seed at their local hardware or garden supply store, and apply it themselves in under an hour. Here's an important note: if you have an underground sprinkler system, it's a good idea to flag all of the heads and valve boxes before aeration is performed.