Core Aeration
At LandGreen Landscaping Inc., we provide professional Core Aeration Services. Serving Wake and Harnett Counties, including Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Angier, Willow Springs, and surrounding areas.
What is Core Aeration?
Core aeration is completed using a specialized machine that removes small plugs of soil, these plugs are left on the lawn surface where they will break down reintroducing organic matter and nutrients into the soil. Core aeration relieves compaction allowing water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the soil, leading to a healthier lawn.
How will I know if my lawn needs to be aerated?
Some common signs that your yard needs to be aerated are: thinning grass, poor drainage, patchy brown areas, or excessive thatch buildup. A soil test can let you know if your soil is too compact. If you have a soil test done soil compaction is indicated by (W/V) weight per volume, if this number is greater than 1.6 g/cm³ your soil is too compacted which restricts root growth.
Why is Aeration Key to a Thriving Landscape?
Boost Overall Turf Health
Alleviates Construction Compaction
Improves Drainage
Enhances Nutrient Absorption
Decreases Runoff and Erosion
Reduces Thatch Buildup
Promotes Root Growth
Denser Turf Growth
When is the Best time to Aerate?
The ideal timing for aeration services depends on the climate and grass type. Cool-season grasses, like Fescue, should be aerated in the Fall, and warm-season grasses, like Bermuda, Zoysia, and Centipede, should be aerated in the Spring. Aerating during the appropriate growing season, allows the grass to undergo less stress, quickly recover, and have better overall lawn health.
How Much Does Core Aeration Cost?
Priced Per Square Foot!
We price core aeration based on the total square footage of your lawn. Our pricing follows a tiered structure, meaning the larger the area, the lower the cost per square foot.
Tiered Pricing for Better Value!
We have a minimum service charge of $175, and from there, our per-square-foot pricing decreases as the lawn size increases. This approach allows us to provide fair and competitive pricing while ensuring high-quality results for every yard.
Table 1. Approximate Pricing by Lawn Size
I’m In! What’s Next?
Which is better core, spike, or liquid aeration?
When it comes to aerating your lawn, some methods are more effective than others! Here’s why we recommend core aeration instead of spike or liquid aeration:
Relieves Soil Compaction:
Core aeration removes small plugs of soil, creating space for root growth and relieving compaction. This is unlike spike aeration, which is a temporary approach that can worsen compaction over time because it pushes soil together.
Boosts Water & Nutrient Absorption:
By creating holes in the soil, core aeration allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the root zone. This is more effective than liquid aeration, which may not reach the same depths and require multiple applications to be effective.
Long-Lasting Results:
Core aeration offers long-lasting results compared to the other two methods leading to a healthier, resilient, and more sustainable lawn.
Other methods might offer quick fixes, but core aeration is a more efficient approach to a healthier, greener lawn!
FAQs
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For most lawns in our service area, we recommend aerating once a year, typically in the fall for cool-season grasses like fescue and in late spring for warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia. If your lawn experiences heavy foot traffic or soil compaction, aerating twice a year may be beneficial.
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You may notice some immediate improvements in water absorption and soil softness, but the most significant results, like increased turf density and improved color, typically become visible within a few weeks, especially if combined with proper fertilization and overseeding.
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It’s best to water your lawn the day before aeration to soften the soil, allowing the aerator to remove deeper cores. After aeration, continue watering as needed to support recovery and encourage new root growth, especially if you’re overseeding.
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Yes, but it’s best to wait a couple of days to allow the soil plugs to begin breaking down. If you’re overseeding after aeration, avoid mowing for at least 10 - 14 days to give the new grass a chance to establish.
Highly Recommended Additional Services
Soil Sample: Provides information on the soil compaction level allowing for customized recommendations It also offers a baseline for monitoring changes in your soil health.
Overseeding: Adds new grass seed to your lawn to make it thicker and healthier. Aeration enhances overseeding by creating holes where seeds can settle and grow more effectively.
Top Dressing: Applies a thin layer of compost over your turf to improve growth and soil structure. Aeration helps topdressing by allowing the material to penetrate the soil more deeply.
Dethatching: Removes decaying plant material to allow more air, water, and nutrient circulation. Aeration works well after dethatching by opening up the soil for better air and water flow.