Core aeration is a beneficial lawn care service that can help your lawn reach its full potential. This service involves using a machine called an aerator to pull up plugs of soil, loosening compaction and making it easier for nutrients and other resources to reach the roots of your grass. While this process can be slightly invasive, it's highly effective at improving the overall health of your lawn. However, it's important to note that core aeration can stress it out if performed at the wrong time, so you should only schedule this service when your lawn is strong enough to endure it here in Iowa. What's more, it will leave behind small soil cores, which some people find unappealing. However, these soil cores will eventually decompose and return nutrients to your lawn, so they are actually beneficial! Overall, the benefits of core aeration vastly outweigh any temporary stress it inflicts.

What is core aeration?

Aerator tines on a lawn in Ankeny, IA.

Core aeration is a lawn care service that involves using a machine called an aerator to pull up plugs of soil from your lawn. The mechanical perforation of your turf helps address soil compaction by breaking up the hard, packed layer. By doing so, it will allow nutrients and resources to penetrate and reach the roots of your grass more easily. With improved access to these essential elements, your lawn will be able to grow stronger and healthier.

The Pros & Cons of Core Aeration

Core aeration is necessary for your lawn's health, but you'll want to be aware of the pros and cons so you know what to expect. For one, the mechanical process of extracting soil cores can be slightly invasive and put minor stress on your lawn. However, it's highly effective at loosening compacted soil, creating small holes that serve as passageways for nutrients, water, oxygen, and sunlight to reach the roots of your grass where they're needed most. Not only that, but it also helps break up the thatch layer!

Another thing to note is that core aeration needs to be done when your turf is strong enough to endure it to avoid causing unnecessary stress. On the plus side, it can heal quickly from the process when it's done at the right time of year.

Additionally, this service will leave behind small soil cores, which some people find unappealing. However, these soil cores will eventually decompose and return nutrients to your lawn! Because of this, it's best to leave them to break down; you can speed up the decomposition process and make them less conspicuous by raking or going over them with a lawn mower. Overall, the benefits of core aeration vastly outweigh any temporary stress, allowing your grass to grow healthier and greener!

Core aeration is best done in the spring and fall, as these seasons provide optimal conditions for your lawn to withstand the process and recover quickly.

Give us a call today to schedule our core aeration service!

Give your lawn optimal access to the nutrients and resources it needs to thrive by enlisting our core aeration service! Our team at ETCH Outdoor Living offers this service in the spring and fall, between September and late October, as these are the best times to perform it. You can expect us to pass over your lawn with an aerator to extract soil cores, alleviating compaction and improving its access to vital resources. Not only that, but you can also pair core aeration with our overseeding service to boost your turf's density!

We serve residential and commercial property owners, as well as HOAs, in Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Waukee, IA, and other surrounding cities. Give us a call at (515) 735-3338 to schedule our core aeration service today!