Spring or fall aeration is a very popular and effective way to boost your lawn’s health and encourage new growth. Should you hire someone to help treat your lawn professionally, or is something you can attempt yourself? In order to better answer that question, it is important to be introduced to both Core and Spike aeration.

What’s the Difference?

While promising the same results, there are fundamental differences to both core and spike aeration.

Spike aerators have sharp spikes that penetrate deep into the ground. By essentially poking large amounts of holes into your lawn, the roots of your grass are more able to receive water, nutrients, and air – all essential elements for growth. Spike aeration also provides Short Term soil decompaction, but, because it removes no soil from the ground, it fails to be a long-term, sustainable solution to your soil’s compaction. Instead of removing any soil from the ground, spike aeration pushes soil down and to the sides – compacting soil in the process. This mess-free method is a wonderful and easy solution to minimize soil compaction in a small area, but it may not be suitable for large, expansive areas.

Core aeration, on the other hand, utilizes hollow tines that remove small plugs of thatch and dirt from the ground. Like coring an apple, this method of aeration allows an even larger surface area of roots and grass to easily access water, nutrients, and air. Because soil is physically removed from the ground, core aeration is a perfect solution for soil decompaction. This long-term solution to combat compaction is suitable for small, medium, and large areas.

How Often Should I Aerate?

Because spike aeration creates smaller holes in your lawn, the ground more quickly adjusts and closes these holes up. In order to see success from your spike aeration, it is recommended that you aerate 2-3 times per season.

Core aeration is a much more aggressive method of aeration, and will ensure a year-long solution for your lawn. Aerating only once per year – or once every few years if your lawn is quite healthy – will be adequate to keeping your lawn healthy, bright, and full.

We Are Here to Help!

Norwalk Seasonal Services is always available to meet your needs and answer your questions. Call us or send a message today to book your fall aeration.