What is Aerification?
Aerification is an effective way to increase thatch decomposition and to reduce thatch build-up. Aerification allows water and oxygen to move into soils more quickly, creating a better environment for the thatch-decomposing organisms. As the soil cores brought to the surface in aerification gradually break down and work back into the thatch, its decomposition by micro-organisms increases.

An active earthworm population in the lawn is a preventative biological control. Since micro-organisms, fungi, insects, and earthworms are responsible for thatch decomposition, encourage them by maintaining a soil pH between 6 and 7, moist thatch and soil, and aerification.

Use soil insecticides for fungicides only when need to control specific, identified pest problems; pesticides can adversely affect the micro-organism, insect and earthworm populations.

How do I aeriate my lawn?
Using an aerifier, a machine which removes plugs of soil from the lawn leaving holes about 1/2 inch in diameter and up to 3 inches deep. The cores of soil are typically left on the soil surface to gradually break down and filter back into the turf.

What are the advantages to lawn aeration?
Aerification has several distinct advantages in a turf grass situation including:

• Relieving soil compaction
• Increasing water and oxygen infiltration into the soil
• Helping to control the development of thatch

Aerification is particularly helpful when the soil is compacted because of poor soil penetration before lawn establishment or from considerable foot traffic. Compacted soils result in shallow-rooted lawns particularly susceptible to disease, insect, and environmental stresses. This also causes ineffective watering as more water runs off the surface to low areas rather than flowing into the soil.

When should I aeriate my lawn?
The best time to aeriate a lawn is in the cool weather of late summer (August 20 to September 20). By aerifying then, the lawn recovers quickly and is completely healed by winter.