Aeration is a lawn care service that loosens compacted soil so your grass in Iowa has optimal access to nutrients, water, and oxygen. However, there are two ways to aerate a lawn: core aeration and liquid aeration. Core aeration involves using a machine called an aerator to mechanically pull up plugs of soil. Liquid aeration, on the other hand, involves applying a liquid treatment across your lawn that creates tiny pores in the soil. While both methods are beneficial, core aeration tends to prove the better option, especially for lawns with heavily compacted soil. What's more, core aeration will provide quicker results than liquid aeration. To ensure it's done right, it's recommended to hire pros to perform this service!

What's the difference between core aeration and liquid aeration?

Holes in a lawn in Ankeny, IA, from core aeration.

Core aeration and liquid aeration are two different methods of aerating a lawn. Core aeration involves using a machine called an aerator to mechanically pull up plugs of soil. This process leaves behind holes in your lawn, which helps to loosen compacted soil and create channels for nutrients and other resources to reach the roots. Liquid aeration, on the other hand, involves applying a liquid treatment across your lawn that creates tiny pores in the soil. This breaks up the hard, packed soil particles, making it easier for nutrients, water, and oxygen to penetrate and get to the root zone where they're needed most.

The plugs of soil left on your lawn after core aeration will decompose and return nutrients as they do!

Which method is better: core aeration or liquid aeration?

Both core aeration and liquid aeration offer great benefits to your lawn and are designed to alleviate soil compaction. However, core aeration tends to prove the better option. After all, it is great for lawns with heavily compacted soil because it involves mechanical perforation, allowing a deeper reach into the ground and effectively loosening it. Additionally, core aeration generates quicker results than liquid aeration. That's because liquid aeration takes time to work its way into the soil and create pores, whereas core aeration creates holes in your lawn immediately.

Always hire professionals to perform aeration to ensure it's done right.

While you may be tempted to try to aerate your lawn yourself, it's best to leave this job to professionals. That's because professionals have the necessary expertise and equipment to ensure it's done right. What's more, they'll know how to use their equipment properly to ensure they don't cause any damage to your lawn. They'll also know when to perform this service to benefit your turf without causing any unnecessary stress. With expert help, you can have peace of mind knowing your lawn is in good hands, and it'll be on track for healthier, more vibrant growth in no time!

Call Us to Sign Up for Our Core Aeration Service

Our core aeration service is just what you need to give your lawn the best access to nutrients, water, oxygen, and sunlight, allowing it to thrive! At ETCH Outdoor Living, we perform aeration in the spring and fall, between September and late October, to ensure it can withstand the process and recover quickly. Not only that, but we'll also do it right the first time to effectively loosen compacted soil and set up your grass for lasting success. You can even go the extra mile for your lawn by pairing it with overseeding to fill in bare, patchy areas!

We offer our core aeration service to residential and commercial property owners, as well as HOAs, in Ankeny, IA, and throughout the surrounding areas, including Johnston, Urbandale, West Des Moines, and Waukee. Give us a call at (515) 735-3338 to sign up for this service today!