Aeration

Aeration refers to a lawn renovation treatment, which involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil and reach the grass roots 

It aims to improve soil structure and health, particularly for lawns with heavy clay soils or those that receive frequent foot traffic, relieve soil compaction, improve drainage and promote healthy grass root growth.  

If fertiliser is applied, aeration will improve the uptake by the grass, leading to a greener, healthier turf that is more resistant to drought, lawn diseases, and other stresses. 

Call us for a free quote on 07452 965159

Illustration showing how the process of Aeration works when renovating your lawn

What are the types of Aeration?

There are several types of aeration methods commonly used to aerate lawns and improve soil health. These machines vary in design and function, each with its advantages and suitability for different lawn sizes, soil conditions and level of compaction. It’s essential to select the most appropriate lawn aerator for your lawn and to follow proper aeration practices to ensure the best results. 

At 1840 Lawn Care we use: 

Aerator machine used in lawn renovation, with hollow tines.

Hollow tine aerator – also known as a core aerator or core plug aerator – unlike a spike aerator, which simply create holes in the soil, a hollow tine aerator removes plugs or cores of soil from the lawn, creating channels allowing for better air, water, and nutrient penetration into the grass roots. If carried out as a single task the plugs are collected before work such as top dressing and overseeding is undertaken. If carried out with scarification the cores are chewed up as a top dressing.

Solid tine aerator – Unlike a hollow tine aerator, which removes cores of soil from the lawn, a solid tine aerator punctures the soil with solid tines or spikes to create holes for air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil. We look to use this machine in the winter when the soil is softer. 

Aerator machine used in lawn renovation, with fracture tines.

Fracture tine aerator – We use a drum type machine with long, specifically designed tines. As the tines go through the ground, they cut channels and move soil to create fissures, which allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil. We carry out this type of tine aeration through the winter as the soil is softer. It works very well on heavily compacted soils and heavier soil types. 

Close up of a lawn after Aeration process with small holes punctured into the soil.

Why is Aeration important?

Lawn aeration is important as it helps to improve the health and appearance of your lawn by addressing soil compaction and promoting better grass growth:  

Soil Compaction

Soil compaction occurs over time due to factors such as foot traffic, heavy machinery, and natural settling of the soil. Compacted soil restricts the movement of air, water, and nutrients to the grass roots, leading to poor lawn health. Aeration helps to alleviate soil compaction by creating channels in the soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the root zone.  

Grass Roots

Compacted soil hinders the development of healthy grass roots. By aerating the lawn, grass roots can penetrate deeper into the soil, resulting in a stronger and more resilient lawn. Improved root growth also helps the grass withstand environmental stresses such as drought and lawn diseases. 

Water Movement
OR Drainage

Compacted soil often leads to poor water drainage, which can result in water pooling on the lawn surface and creating waterlogged conditions. Aeration helps to improve water infiltration and drainage, preventing waterlogging and reducing the risk of lawn diseases such as root rot. 

Nutrient Absorption

Aeration promotes better nutrient absorption by the grass roots. Nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, are essential for healthy grass growth. By aerating the lawn, nutrients can more effectively reach the grass roots zone, resulting in lush green grass. 

Thatch Layer

Aeration also helps to reduce thatch buildup on the lawn surface. Thatch is a layer of dead grass, roots, and organic matter that accumulates between the soil and the green grass blades. By creating channels in the soil, aeration encourages the decomposition of thatch and promotes a healthier lawn. 

When is it best to Aerate your lawn?

Aerating machine on a lawn

Aeration can help your lawn withstand the rigors of the British climate and environmental conditions.  

It’s typically recommended to aerate your lawn at least once a year, preferably in the spring or autumn when the grass is actively growing and can recover more quickly from the process, although heavily used or compacted lawns may benefit from more frequent aeration. 

What happens after Aeration?

After aeration, it’s common to apply top dressing or overseeding. Recommendations are made on an individual basis.

Our Lawn Renovation services: Scarification  Top Dressing  Overseeding
 also work well with our 
Lawn Treatments