Core aeration is a beneficial lawn care service that involves mechanically pulling up plugs of soil from your lawn using an aerator to loosen compaction and create passageways for nutrients and resources to reach the roots of your grass. However, you'll want to be aware of the benefits as much as the potential drawbacks so you know what to expect. Due to the process, it can be slightly invasive and can stress out your turf if done at the wrong time. Because of this, you'll want to ensure you perform it when it's strong enough to endure it. Additionally, core aeration leaves behind soil cores, which some property owners don't find very appealing. Fortunately, you can break them up to speed up the decomposition process. While there are some drawbacks to core aeration, the benefits far outweigh them, making it a worthwhile investment for your lawn in Tennessee.

What is core aeration?

Worker pushing a core aerator across a lawn in Memphis, TN.

Core aeration is a lawn care service that involves using an aerator machine to mechanically pull up plugs of soil, called soil cores. This process is highly effective at loosening compacted soil, which can occur over time due to foot traffic and other factors. By alleviating compaction, core aeration creates passageways for nutrients, sunlight, water, and oxygen to reach the roots of your grass more easily. This access to vital resources promotes healthier growth and strengthens your lawn.

Core aeration helps break up the thatch layer, which consists of dead organic matter that can build up between the soil and grass over time.

What are the pros and cons of core aeration?

Core aeration offers numerous benefits for your lawn, but it also has a few potential drawbacks. Since it mechanically pulls up plugs of soil from your turf, it can be slightly invasive. However, this process is highly effective at improving soil quality and enhancing nutrient uptake. It promotes root growth and helps your lawn develop a stronger and more resilient root system. Additionally, core aeration improves airflow and water penetration, reducing the risk of waterlogging and promoting better drainage.

Another drawback is that it can stress out your lawn if done at the wrong time. To avoid this, it's crucial to perform core aeration when it is strong enough to endure it. The best time to aerate your lawn is in late spring/early summer for warm-season grasses and in the fall for cool-season types. Aerating during these times ensures it has optimal conditions to withstand and recover quickly, plus take advantage of the improved access to nutrients and resources.

Core aeration also leaves behind soil cores, which some property owners don't find appealing. However, they will eventually break down and return nutrients to the soil. You can also break them up with a rake or go over them with a lawn mower to speed up the decomposition process and make them less conspicuous. Regardless of these potential drawbacks, the benefits of core aeration prove worthwhile and will set up your grass for long-standing success.

Call us today to schedule our core aeration service!

If you want to give your lawn access to the nutrients and resources it needs to thrive, look no further than our core aeration service! Our team at Herbi-Systems serves residential and commercial properties, as well as HOAs, in Memphis, Collierville, Germantown, and nearby areas in Tennessee. This service is available from the beginning of June to mid-July for warm-season grasses and from September to October for cool-season types to ensure it's done when your turf is strong enough to withstand it. Additionally, we recommend scheduling it annually to maximize the benefits year after year. Call us today at (901) 382-5296 to schedule our core aeration service!