Core aeration involves using a machine to pull up soil plugs from your lawn in North Carolina, which helps loosen compacted soil and improve nutrient flow to the root system. It also breaks up the thatch layer, allowing water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively. Although slightly invasive, core aeration is highly effective for improving lawn health. Timing is crucial; performing it during the active growing season ensures quick recovery. The resulting soil cores can be unappealing, but they decompose to return nutrients to the lawn. Fortunately, these cores can be broken up or mowed to quicken decomposition, enhancing overall lawn health.

What is core aeration?

Aerator machine on a lawn in Cary, NC.

Core aeration is a process that involves using a machine to mechanically pull up plugs of soil from your lawn. This helps to loosen compacted soil, which can hinder the flow of essential nutrients and resources to the roots of your grass. By creating passageways for these elements, core aeration allows for better root development and stronger, healthier grass growth.

Additionally, it breaks up the thatch layer, which is a dense layer of dead grass and other organic material that can build up on the surface of your lawn over time. Thatch can prevent water, nutrients, and air from reaching the roots of your grass, so breaking it up is crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn.

What are some pros and cons of core aeration?

While core aeration is a beneficial service, there are some pros and cons to be aware of beforehand.

  • Core aeration is an invasive process for your lawn, but it is highly effective. One of the main advantages of core aeration is that it improves the health and appearance of your lawn. However, it can be an invasive process that may cause some temporary damage to your grass. The good news is that your lawn can heal quickly from the process, depending on when you do it and whether it's done right.
  • Core aeration must be performed when it’s the right time for your lawn. Another consideration when it comes to core aeration is timing. If done at the wrong time, it can stress out your lawn and cause more harm than good. However, you can avoid this by performing it when your grass is strong enough to endure it. This typically means scheduling core aeration during the growing season when your grass is actively growing and can recover quickly from any damage caused by the process.
  • Core aeration leaves behind soil cores. When you perform core aeration, it leaves behind soil cores on your lawn. Some property owners don’t find these very appealing, but they serve a purpose. As they decompose, they return nutrients to your lawn, helping to improve its overall health and appearance. If you’re not a fan of the look of soil cores, you can break them up with a rake or go over them with a lawn mower to speed up the decomposition process.
Warm-season lawns are best aerated from late spring to mid-summer, while cool-season lawns benefit from aeration done in the fall.

Call us today to schedule our core aeration service!

If you’re ready to give your lawn the boost it needs to thrive, our core aeration service is the perfect solution. At Agape Lawn Company, we have the expertise and equipment necessary to perform core aeration safely and effectively. Our team offers core aeration for warm-season lawns from May to July and for cool-season lawns from September to November.

Don’t wait any longer to give your lawn the care it deserves. We proudly serve residential property owners in Cary, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, and nearby communities. Call us today at (919) 672-2509 to schedule our core aeration service and see the difference it can make for your lawn.