Aeration of Turfgrass Areas
By: Derek Devine
Mechanical aeration provides an excellent, and probably the only, means of correcting or alleviating soil compaction which may be quite serious on many lawn areas. Compaction occurs primarily in the surface area of the lawn. A compacted layer as thin as 1/4 to 1/2 inch can greatly impede water infiltration, nutrient penetration, and gaseous exchange between the soil and the atmosphere. Compaction of this type in the surface layer of soil can be corrected or reduced by the use of suitable aerating equipment.
Aerating machines remove plugs of soil from the turf area, thereby creating
an artificial system of large or noncapillary pores by which moisture and plant
nutrients can be taken into the soil. They also provide a breathing system through
which carbon dioxide can escape from the soil and oxygen can enter the soil.
A rapid intake in movement of water and air is recognized as a prime necessity
in correcting damages to the turf caused by compacted soils.
Spring and early fall are the best times to aerate. Summer aeration of cool-season
grasses, such as bluegrass, bent grass, and fescue, is not generally recommended
because these grasses are in a semi-dormant condition, whereas crabgrass is
quite active. A safe general rule for time of aeration is to aerate only when
the desirable grasses are growing vigorously.
The type of equipment recommended will depend upon the size and use of the area.
Equipment varies in size, from the small, hand, tubular-tine forks to large,
tractor-drawn units capable of aerating large areas in relatively short time.
Power-driven, home-owner-sized units are available. Many lawn and garden supply
houses have aerating equipment available on a rental basis, and many landscape
agencies will do the job on a custom basis.
Equipment having solid tines or spikes should not be mistaken for aerating equipment.
Aerators always remove a soil core whereas solid tine spikers do not. Spikers
actually increase soil compaction as the movement of the soil to all sides by
the penetration of the solid tine forces the soil into a denser mass.
This is an example of an aerator used on golf courses.
Aeration:
Aeration can be used on residential or commercial lawns. Also, it is very important in the sports world. Football fields, baseball fields, and golf courses use aeration to promote growth and most importantly---color. Aeration isn't the ONLY factor that affects a turfs color, but it is still important.
On golf courses, the greens, fairways, and tee boxes need to be aerated. Greens should be aerated 2-3 times a year, depending on geographical region. Tee boxes and fairways should be done once a year or every other year, depending on th amount of use the golf course gets throughout the season.
Here's how good a golf course can look with the proper care. Aeration is important!!!!!
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