Why Aerate Your Lawn?

What Are The Benefits of Aeration?

Core aeration can help make your lawn healthier and reduce its maintenance requirements through these means:

  • Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere.
  • Enhanced soil water uptake.
  • Improved fertilizer uptake and use.
  • Reduced water runoff and puddling.
  • Stronger turfgrass roots.
  • Reduced soil compaction.
  • Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance.
  • Improved resiliency and cushioning.
  • Enhanced thatch breakdown.

Equipment Affects the Outcome

The type of aeration equipment can determine how effective the treatment will be. In general, turf responds best when core holes are close and deep. Equipment with hollow tines removes soil cores. Equipment with open tines divots the soil surface. Aeration equipment also varies in tine size up to 3/4 inch diameter and in depth of penetration up to 4 inches, depending on the manufacturer’s specifications. In most home lawns, fertile topsoil may have been removed or buried during excavation of the basement or footings, forcing grass to grow in subsoil that is more compact, higher in clay content and less likely to sustain a healthy lawn.

Why Is Aeration Necessary?

In most home lawns, fertile topsoil may have been removed or buried during excavation of the basement or footings, forcing grass to grow in subsoil that is more compact, higher in clay content and less likely to sustain a healthy lawn.

Walking, playing and mowing will compact soil and stress lawns. Raindrops and irrigation further compact the soil, reducing large air spaces where roots readily grow. Compaction is greater on heavy clay soils than on sandy soils, and it is greatest in the upper 1 to 1 1/2 inches of soil.

Aeration can help relieve soil compaction, allowing your grass to grow deeper roots and make better use of water and fertilizer.

 

ROOT GROWTH – Core aeration allows air, water and fertilizer to better reach the root zone. This stimulates root growth to create healthier, stronger turfgrass plants.

Relieve Thatch Accumulation

Most home lawns are subject to thatch accumulation. Left unmanaged, it impedes water, fertilizer and pesticide effectiveness. Core aeration combines soil with the thatch debris, so soil organisms are better able to break down the thatch and reduce its accumulation.

How Often Should Lawns Be Aerated?

Most lawns benefit from annual aeration. Heavily used lawns, or those growing on heavy clay or subsoils may need more than one aeration each year. Again, turf responds best when tine spacing is closer and penetration is deeper.

When is The Best Time to Aerate?

If you have cool season turfgrass such as Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, both spring and fall are ideal times to aerate. In spring, aerate between March and May. Perform fall aeration between August and November. Aeration before or at the time of late season fertilization enhances root growth and improves spring greenup and growth.

Warm season turfgrasses such as zoysiagrass and bermudagrass should be aerated in mid-spring to summer. Avoid aerating when warm season grasses are dormant – it may encourage weed competition. In addition, avoid aerating warm season grasses during spring greenup, and not until after their first spring mowing.

Herbicides, Fertilizers & Aeration

It’s best to aerate before you apply pre-emergence herbicides, rather than after. Aerating after a herbicide application can reduce the chemical barrier formed by the herbicide, allowing weeds to germinate. Applying fertilizer after aeration helps the lawn compete against weeds. Water the lawn after aeration, particularly in areas where drought and high temperatures are common.

What can you expect?

Immediately after aeration, your lawn will be dotted with small plugs pulled from the soil. Within a week or two, they break apart and disappear into the lawn.

About 7 to 10 days after aeration, the aerification holes will be filled with white, actively growing roots – a sign that the turfgrass is receiving additional oxygen, moisture and nutrients from the soil.

On compacted soils and on lawns with slopes, you should see an immediate difference in water puddling and runoff after irrigation or rainfall. After aeration, your lawn should be able to go longer between waterings, without showing signs of wilt. With repeat aerations over time, your lawn will show enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance.

Remember, most lawns benefit from annual aeration. And while you shouldn’t expect miracles, especially with poor soil, lawns that receive this care will be healthier, more vigorous, easier to maintain and have fewer pest problems.

Minneapolis Events 2019

School is out and summer has arrived in Minneapolis.  This means there is going to be a lot going on throughout Minneapolis for you to enjoy.  Here are some of our top picks for events going on throughout the city this summer.

The Vikings Begin Exhibition

May 17th-October 27th, 2019
American Swedish Institute

The Vikings Begin, one of the American Swedish Institute’s most significant exhibitions to date, is the Midwest premiere of an extraordinary collection of early Viking boat burial artifacts! The magnificent installation features Viking helmets, swords, jewelry, glass vessels, bowls and other objects with historical significance, that tell stories about the people buried with them and the society they belonged to.

Stone Arch Bridge Fest

June 14th-16th, 2019
Minneapolis Riverfront

Kick off the start of summer with us at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival, one of the first outdoor festivals of the season! Located at one of the most iconic places in Minneapolis, the Festival is filled with people excited for the season.

Check out our recommendations of must see places around the celebration!

Uptown Food Truck Festival

June 23rd, 2019
Lake & Hennepin

Over 65 food trucks showcasing the best local and global dishes ranging from crispy pork belly and green papaya salad to gourmet mini doughnuts and wood fired pizzas. Spend the entire day eating or see what else this popular festival has to offer including two separate stages featuring multiple live bands and DJ’s and multiple games and give-aways.

July 4th Marathon and Fireworks

July 4th, 2019

Sign up for the Red, White & Boom! marathon before you settle in for fireworks. Check out the detailed race information and registration, then take a look at our top places to watch Fourth of July fireworks and check back closer to the holiday for a list of our favorite events.

Basilica Block Party

July 12th-13th, 2019
The Basilica of St. Mary

The Cities 97 Basilica Block Party features 20 bands playing on 3 stages over a two day period in July. All proceeds from the event go to restoration of the historic landmark and to St. Vincent de Paul’s outreach program which provides services to those in need. This annual concert series is beloved by both visitors and residents who love live music and a good cause.

Loring Park Art Festival

July 27th-28th, 2019
Loring Park

Bringing all types of artwork from 140 different artists, the Loring Park Art Festival celebrates it’s 20th year. Art lovers will have a chance to see and take home one-of-a-kind pieces, including oil paintings watercolors, handmade paper, sculpture, textiles, photography, glass, ceramics, jewelry, mixed-media, prints and more. Festival goes can also enjoy food, live music and unique entertainment for the whole family in the beautiful outdoor setting of Loring Park.

Summer X Games

August 1st-4th, 2019
Locations vary

X Games returns to Minneapolis with the world’s top action sports competition in Skateboard, BMX and Moto, and world-class musical performances. Once again, the Skateboard and BMX Vert events will be free and open to the public. Get your tickets now!

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

August 17th-September 29th, 2019 (only weekends)

King Henry and his royal court invite one and all to his 16th Century European village featuring 16 stages of live entertainment. Over 250 artisans fill the Festival marketplace to display and sell their handcrafted wares for a truly unique shopping experience. Patrons can interact with hundreds of memorable characters roaming the village streets as well as view live armored jousting throughout the day.

Minnesota State Fair

August 22nd-September 2nd, 2019
Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Since 1859 the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state attracting more than 1.9 million guests annually. There’s something for every here. Foodies (anything and everything on a stick), art lovers, music fans, animal lovers, and more get together to experience the finest showcase of Minnesota’s agriculture, art, and industry.