Lawns: Aerating

Aeration is a simple process, the idea of which is to create holes in the turf to enable air and water to penetrate beneath the top surface. Sounds simple, but the process is not as easy as it sounds.

There are two forms of aeration: Spiking and Pricking.

Spiking

Spiking is basically used to alleviate areas which have compacted earth rather than your whole lawn. This is done by driving hollow or solid spikes (called tines) into the ground to a depth of at least 8cm. Oxygen gets into the ground whilst carbon dioxide escapes and the holes allow water to get to the grass roots. Spike when the ground obviously needs it and in autumn. Maximum, once a year with a garden fork and maximum once every three years with a hollow-tine fork. Choose a day when the soil is moist.

Carry out in areas

• which have been waterlogged by rain.
• that brown very easily in drought conditions or drought.
• affected by trailing moss.
• in patches which have had heavy foot traffic.
• in areas where the grass does not grow well.

Pricking

Pricking is the process of breaking through the layer of dead matter which has accumulated on the surface of the lawn and compacted soil surface. Pricking should be done in either spring or autumn to a depth of 15 – 40mm or so. Pricking is not the same as spiking and will not replace it. Choose a dry day when the soil is moist.

Carry out

• across the whole lawn if water does not rapidly soak away.

Lawn Care:
 Jobs to do
 Equipment
 Mowing
 When do I cut my grass?
 Top dressing
 Feeding
 Watering
 Trimming
 Raking and brushing
 Aerating 
 Liming and Rolling

Lawn Problems:
 Pests
 Diseases
 Weeds
 Brown patches
 Repairs