Power core aeration is one of the most important cultural practices available for your lawn. Annual or semiannual aeration is advised for all lawns on heavy clay soils, those with a thatch buildup, and any lawn that needs to be "thickened up." Oklahoma is notorious for our clay soil and while this type of soil is very rich in nutrients, it also is very prone to compaction. Gravity, foot traffic, lawn mowers, and rainfall cause soil to become compacted over time. Aeration also helps control thatch, improves the soil structure, helps create growth pockets for new roots, and opens the way for water and fertilizer to reach the root zone of your lawn.
HOW AERATION WORKS
Aeration removes small cores of soil 1" to 3" in length from your lawn. These cores break apart fairly quickly after watering and mowing. Aerating relieves pressure from compacted soils, letting oxygen, water and nutrients move more freely throughout the root zone.
Performed annually, aeration significantly reduces thatch build-up and improves turf growth. Bermuda grass, both common and hybrid, needs to be actively growing before we do an aeration. Optimally this is from May to July of every year.