Core aeration is an invaluable lawn care service that can greatly help lawns during their peak growing seasons in Michigan. Although core aeration is considered such an important service, there are people out there who don’t fully understand the process and what benefits it brings to the table. So, below are some frequently asked questions about core aeration to help shed some light on what it is, when and how often it should be scheduled, and if it’s okay to schedule it as a standalone service.

What is core aeration?

Aerator in lawn in Sterling Heights, MI.

Before diving into the other questions, it’s important to understand what core aeration is. Core aeration is the process of poking holes in your lawn by using a machine called an aerator. When the aerator passes over your lawn, it digs up these “cores,” leaving behind tiny 2-3-inch holes in your yard. These holes create passageways for nutrients and resources to easily find their way to the roots of your grass, ultimately aiding in your turf’s development. But that’s not all, core aeration also helps reduce thatch buildup and can help combat soil compaction. It does so by loosening up any compacted soil and creating more passageways for nutrients to sink into your soil.

You can leave the cores on your lawn after aerating because they will return nutrients to your lawn as they decompose!

When can core aeration be scheduled?

When deciding when to schedule core aeration services in Michigan, the best time to do so is either in the spring or fall because these seasons are the time when your cool-season grass will be at its strongest and will be able to endure the process. When it comes to spring aeration, it should be scheduled early enough in the season so that your grass will be fully recovered before the stressful summer season arrives. If you schedule an aeration service in the fall, make sure you schedule it early enough so that your lawn can recover before winter hits.

How often should core aeration be scheduled?

Core aeration is a great service to make sure nutrients and resources always have access to the roots of your grass. So, how often should it be scheduled? Well, because it's an invasive process that can take a toll on your lawn, it should only be scheduled once or twice per year at times when your grass will be able to endure the process. If your lawn seems to be growing just fine after one service, that's all you need. However, if your lawn experiences heavy foot traffic and is susceptible to soil compaction and thatch buildup, then definitely consider scheduling core aeration twice a year to keep your soil loosened.

Is it okay to schedule core aeration by itself?

Seeds being poured from professional's hand to lawn in Rochester Hills, MI.

Yes, core aeration is something that you can schedule independently of any other service. Aeration will still help your grass receive the resources it needs to grow as a standalone service. However, it does work well when paired with an overseeding service. That's because your new grass seeds will fall right into the holes left behind by the aerator, which is the perfect place for them to germinate because they have better contact with your soil.

Ready to aerate your lawn? Call us today to schedule our core aeration service!

The importance of core aeration cannot be overstated. It's the perfect lawn care service to help your lawn during its growing period and can help with soil compaction and thatch buildup. At Big Lakes Lawncare, our team performs aeration services every spring and fall to ensure nutrients and resources reach the roots of your grass with no issue. We service commercial, HOA, and residential properties in Macomb, MI, and in surrounding areas like Shelby and Chesterfield. Give us a call today at (586) 200-0855 to schedule our core aeration service!