Core Aeration

Your lawn's ability to survive severe summer weather depends on the strength of its root system. Core aeration helps improve your lawn's root system by:

1. Relieving compaction. Compacted soil, or soils that contain much silt and clay, can prevent a lawn's root system from fully developing

2. Increasing oxygen to the root system. Your lawn's root system needs oxygen to thrive

3. Improving drainage. Water-logged soil will prevent a lawn from rooting deeply
The deeper a lawn's root system, the greater its stress tolerance. Poorly drained or compacted soils are ones that are very sandy and dry out rapidly. Although this is beneficial during periods of heavy rain, the ability of soil to retain moisture is critical.

Sandy soils with aeration should be top-dressed with compost, adding organic matter which will:

1. Improve water retention

2. Build better soil structure

3. Increase microbial activity for less thatch build-up and a potential reduction in disease.

Fall is the best time to core aerate. Cool temperatures limit stress, and allow better healing and root development.

For more on core aeration, contact Hartney Greymont or another certified arborist.