Considering all of the field maintenance services offered by Fields in Grass, Aeration may be the easiest to explain.
- Soils can become compacted through heavy use.
- In high heat, especially those with a high clay content, thatch can develop in even the hardiest of turfgrasses.
Aeration is the process of puncturing the surface of the soil. Aeration mitigates field maintenance issues by allowing oxygen to be introduced into the root zone, carbon dioxide to escape, and water and nutrients to more easily flow through the soil profile.
Core aeration is extremely important on athletic fields due to high activity levels during all weather conditions.
Aeration provides air movement through the soil and increased water and fertilizer penetration below the thatch layer. The process typically involves a tractor mounted aerator that is hydraulically driven to penetrate the soil to relieve soil compaction to a depth of 3-4″.
The aerator creates holes in the turf by physically removing “plugs” through the thatch layer allowing the plant roots to grow deeper and stronger to withstand disease, summer heat stress, and limit soil compaction prohibiting weeds from establishing.
Benefits of Aeration Include:
- 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.
Call Fields in Grass for an Aeration plan for all your athletic fields.
