A thatch layer can make it difficult for irrigation water to get to grass roots. In addition, compact soils are not a good environment for grass roots to grow so they become shallow. Aeration is a cost effective method to combat these conditions, improving turf grass health and saving irrigation water.
We recommend aeration to our customers as a standard enhancement to our yearly turf care program. Aeration improves overall turf and is also the best method of managing thatch and soil compaction.
Since the primary goal is to improve irrigation efficiency, we recommend aeration during the early summer. This opens up the soil to allow water to more easily enter the soil, reducing run-of and improving irrigation effectiveness. We can't quantitatively prove it, but we believe that aeration pays for itself through water savings.
The benefits of aeration are significant but short lived lasting only 3-4 months. This is why we propose it every spring as we enter the normal peak irrigation season. This will maximize the water savings and return on your investment.
If you haven't already approved aeration for 2015, you should be receiving a proposal soon.
