too late for aeration

[mrkosar]

isn't it too late to be doing aerations? i saw scott's out doing some. i am in southern ohio and the temps have been around 45 to 30 at nights.

if those holes don't heal before the cold winter can't the roots be damaged by the winter weather?

[gqnine44]

isn't it too late to be doing aerations? i saw scott's out doing some. i am in southern ohio and the temps have been around 45 to 30 at nights.

if those holes don't heal before the cold winter can't the roots be damaged by the winter weather?

I've heard/read aeration is good anytime the ground isnt frozen. We did some today in the rain.

[Grass Happens]

I was told that now was not the best time. although the ground may not be frozen, it does in fact allow cold air into the root zone, and diminishing the insulation effect of the soil. It also serves little to now purpose as most turf and microbes have gone dormant by this time, and have no use for additional oxygen.

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

We did some today in the rain.

Aerating in rain, or anytime ground is wet is not good, as this will hurt soil structure....

[willietd2]

dry ground=1/4 inch plugs wet ground=2 1/2inch plugs............ im going with the wet ground. my 2 cents

[americanlawn]

Southern Ohio -- I say no prob. Never knew of a Kentucky bluegrass lawn being damaged due to cold weather. Last April, it was 81 degrees, and guys were out aerating. Three days later........we had wind chills in the lower teens. No damage. My two cents worth.:usflag:

isn't it too late to be doing aerations? i saw scott's out doing some. i am in southern ohio and the temps have been around 45 to 30 at nights.

if those holes don't heal before the cold winter can't the roots be damaged by the winter weather?

[mkroher]

Tomorrow i'm doing my last one of the season.

[GrazerZ]

Finished last one today!!!:cool2:
Also did last lime today. also a happy moment.

[MStine315]

Greens, tees, fairways with little turf cover? No way. The turf will suffer dessication around the hole. This is results in an unsightly brown area around every hole due to the turf drying out in the cold winter winds, should there be lack of snow cover. Home lawn 2" or above? Anytime. Here's my little hairbrained theory, for what it's worth. Those holes are more likely to fill up with moisture, be it rain or snow. The natural freeze thaw cycle of winter and spring will allow for soil fracturing, loosening the soil where it counts, down in the root zone. Again, my 2 cents.

[willietd2]

Greens, tees, fairways with little turf cover? No way. The turf will suffer dessication around the hole. This is results in an unsightly brown area around every hole due to the turf drying out in the cold winter winds, should there be lack of snow cover. Home lawn 2" or above? Anytime. Here's my little hairbrained theory, for what it's worth. Those holes are more likely to fill up with moisture, be it rain or snow. The natural freeze thaw cycle of winter and spring will allow for soil fracturing, loosening the soil where it counts, down in the root zone. Again, my 2 cents.

YEAH, WHAT HE SAID

[whoopassonthebluegrass]

Doesn't even matter here. No rain in 2 months. All my aerator does is dance across the lawn... grrr. Had to send letters out today telling folks they'd have to wait till spring. :hammerhead::hammerhead::hammerhead:

[willietd2]

Doesn't even matter here. No rain in 2 months. All my aerator does is dance across the lawn... grrr. Had to send letters out today telling folks they'd have to wait till spring. :hammerhead::hammerhead::hammerhead:

nothin like be jerked across a yard with my split tine clausen.......grrrrrr is wright

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

Timing
The type of grass will determine whether to aerify in the fall or in the summer. Lawns composed of cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue are best aerified in the fall, when there is less heat stress and danger of invasion by weedy annuals. Allow at least four weeks of good growing weather to help the plants recover. Warm-season grasses such as zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, carpetgrass, St. Augustinegrass and bermudagrass, on the other hand, are best aerified in late spring and summer, when they are actively growing. With either type of grass, choose a day when temperatures are mild and soil is moderately moist, which makes the soil easier to penetrate. Avoid aerifying a wet soil, as it is messy and leads to further compaction of the soil as well. If the soil sticks to your shoes or if the core sample you take sticks to your probe, you should wait until it dries out some before starting the job.

From a Land Grant University... As American lawn always has to throw in:laugh:

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

Timing
The type of grass will determine whether to aerify in the fall or in the summer. Lawns composed of cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue are best aerified in the fall, when there is less heat stress and danger of invasion by weedy annuals. Allow at least four weeks of good growing weather to help the plants recover. Warm-season grasses such as zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, carpetgrass, St. Augustinegrass and bermudagrass, on the other hand, are best aerified in late spring and summer, when they are actively growing. With either type of grass, choose a day when temperatures are mild and soil is moderately moist, which makes the soil easier to penetrate. Avoid aerifying a wet soil, as it is messy and leads to further compaction of the soil as well. If the soil sticks to your shoes or if the core sample you take sticks to your probe, you should wait until it dries out some before starting the job.

From a Land Grant University... As American lawn always has to throw in:laugh:

That being said.......Take the money while you can:drinkup:

[Marcos]

Finished aerating in S. Ohio?
Hah!

Once this monsoon we just got yesterday soaks in a little and it firms up again, I'll be at it again tooth and nail.
There's absolutely no reason anyone can't aerate around here all the way up until the point of the ground freezing.

As a matter of fact, there's been years that I've preferred that 'cold' scenario because the structure of the soil allowed for cores that were incredible! ; perfect for doing the jobs that had to be done right.
I've pulled plugs on lightly snow-covered but firm soccer fields that were absolutely tremendous. And the snow gives you a great marker guide to follow with your tractor tire, too!

[lawnguyland]

Anyone that is aerating now in the north is an idiot end of story.

[MOW ED]

Aeration should be done when the lawn is actively growing as it in itself is a destructive process. That is why I aerate in the spring (April) or fall (September/early October) when the lawn is not stressed and actively growing. I am thinking you have cool season grass as I do here in Wisconsin. A growing lawn will be able to make use of the holes and repair itself. If the lawn is dormant or near dormant I wouldn't aerate it.

[Marcos]

Aeration should be done when the lawn is actively growing as it in itself is a destructive process. That is why I aerate in the spring (April) or fall (September/early October) when the lawn is not stressed and actively growing. I am thinking you have cool season grass as I do here in Wisconsin. A growing lawn will be able to make use of the holes and repair itself. If the lawn is dormant or near dormant I wouldn't aerate it.

Well you wouldn't get much done around here!:laugh:

[lawnguyland]

aerating now in ohio should be considered theft by deception.

[Marcos]

aerating now in ohio should be considered theft by deception.

You have no idea what you're talking about.

[Pilgrims' Pride]

Finished aerating in S. Ohio?
Hah!


As a matter of fact, there's been years that I've preferred that 'cold' scenario because the structure of the soil allowed for cores that were incredible! ; perfect for doing the jobs that had to be done right.
I've pulled plugs on lightly snow-covered but firm soccer fields that were absolutely tremendous. And the snow gives you a great marker guide to follow with your tractor tire, too!

That allows opportunity for dormant seeding too.
Does it not?

[grassguy_]

We have been finishing aerations here this week in NE Ohio, and its a great time to aerate provided the soil hasn't froze at all. Aerating has never damaged or bothered dormant turf here as we have done dormant seedings after thanksgiving and into december in the past. Obviously you don't want to be aerating with frost or excessively wet conditions. Should you encounter those issues consistently then its best to do in early spring when better conditions warrant.

[Gatewayuser]

You should aerate when the lawns are ACTIVELY growing so they can heal. Fall is best spring is the next best. Lawns will be going dormant soon so hurry up and get out there!!:waving:

[lawnguyland]

You have no idea what you're talking about.

Um, no, you are the uneducated wonder.

[Marcos]

You should aerate when the lawns are ACTIVELY growing so they can heal. Fall is best spring is the next best. Lawns will be going dormant soon so hurry up and get out there!!:waving:

I'm dormant seeding almost everything I'm doing now so (soccer fields, etc) so it's really a non-issue for me.

[Gatewayuser]

I'm dormant seeding almost everything I'm doing now so (soccer fields, etc) so it's really a non-issue for me.

Ok that works and I didn't see your in cincy in that case your fine. Try to be done this weekend though, if possible! We have heavy rain coming and it WILL be too wet and you'll just defeat the purpose.

[Marcos]

Ok that works and I didn't see your in cincy in that case your fine. Try to be done this weekend though, if possible! We have heavy rain coming and it WILL be too wet and you'll just defeat the purpose.

Just tell THAT to some Long Islanders!
One of them thinks he knows it all about what's going on here!
:hammerhead:

[Gatewayuser]

Just tell THAT to some Long Islanders!
One of them thinks he knows it all about what's going on here!
:hammerhead:

Well there is a big difference between Ohio and NY.

And NY person don't try to call me uneducated because I also went to school for this industry.