Can you aerate during the hot summer months, or should it only be done during spring and fall? Thanks
Aerate during summer?
roscioli
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It is not a good idea to aerate in the summer but some people will still try. First reason is that on a chemically treated lawn you totally destroy the chemical barrier once you aerate. This is why aeration is typically performed in early spring before all crabgrass controls are applied or in Sept after the barrier is shot anyway. Another reason is that unless the ground is soft it would be hard to get any penatration in the soil surface. Also anytime the soil is disturbed this can increase the chance for weed germination. I would avoid doing it unless it is purely demanded by the homeowner and the money is good.
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Aerating in the summer is fine, as long as the ground is soft enough to pull plugs. There really isn't a good reason not to, but then again there isn't a good reason not to wait till fall. It's just more advantagous to do it when you'll be fertilizing and overseeding.
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I agree with Rodney.
I'd also like to point out:
The chemical barrier thing is a 1970's theory, which was pretty much proven untrue by University tests at Cornell, MSU and Texas A&M.
I'd also like to point out:
The chemical barrier thing is a 1970's theory, which was pretty much proven untrue by University tests at Cornell, MSU and Texas A&M.
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378 Posts
If I have a property that needs to be aerated during the summer months, then I don't hesitate to do so. I have properties that I have aerated due to constustion etc. that I have aerated with good results. Like previously posted, be sure that the soil is hydrated enough to allow you to pull good plugs.
I wouldn't aerate all of my properties during the summer, simply because I normally overseed when I aerate my properties, and you will have poor to rotten results overseeding in the summer.
The chemical barrier argument makes good sense though.
Why are you contemplating aeration in the summer?
Take care, Bill Craig
I wouldn't aerate all of my properties during the summer, simply because I normally overseed when I aerate my properties, and you will have poor to rotten results overseeding in the summer.
The chemical barrier argument makes good sense though.
Why are you contemplating aeration in the summer?
Take care, Bill Craig
If you are just aerating, then you are OK. If you are wanting to seed, then now is not the time. The warm temperatures will get the grass to grow up nicely, but prevent the grass from forming a nice root system. Wait til fall to aerate and seed. Of course if there are unusual circumstances you should do what is best to make the lawn look nice as quickly as possible. The ideal time to overseed is in the fall, then spring.
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If you are aerating just to make $$, aerate any time.
If you want to enhance your clients' turf, summer aeration is usually not beneficial in cool season grasses. The main reason for aeration is to loosen the soil for better root growth; in the summer there is little root growth in cool season grasses. Aeration in the summer opens the surface to allow faster drying of soil - usually not beneficial.
In heavy, pure clay soils, aeration is done 3-4 times a year. This is one of the few uses for summer aeration. Another would be a heavy thatch layer that causes runoff of irrigation - in this case aeration allows better water percolation, and that benefit outweighs the increased drying effect.
Numerous university studies over the last 15 years have shown that aeration after preemergent application had no effect on the efficacy of the preemergent.
If you want to enhance your clients' turf, summer aeration is usually not beneficial in cool season grasses. The main reason for aeration is to loosen the soil for better root growth; in the summer there is little root growth in cool season grasses. Aeration in the summer opens the surface to allow faster drying of soil - usually not beneficial.
In heavy, pure clay soils, aeration is done 3-4 times a year. This is one of the few uses for summer aeration. Another would be a heavy thatch layer that causes runoff of irrigation - in this case aeration allows better water percolation, and that benefit outweighs the increased drying effect.
Numerous university studies over the last 15 years have shown that aeration after preemergent application had no effect on the efficacy of the preemergent.
Keep in mind aeration does damage the turf. While this is beneficial for the lawn when it can recover quickly, doing it in the summer is like kicking the lawn when it is down. Optimally aerating should be done when the lawn will see several weeks of vigorous growth following the procedure. This is why it is typically done in the spring and fall. Certainly special circumstances do arise, but I would prefer to do this when it is best for the turf.
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Yes I do it, mainly to promote water absorbtion.
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=4142&highlight=summer
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=4142&highlight=summer
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I am hoping for a major thunderstorm today so I can aerate Monday morning as early in the morning as possible.
This job is a two-field soccer complex that was planted last year.
The topsoil actually subsoil really sucks with little natural nutrients or organic matter. My only salvation is they have a bought a rain train and irrigate as needed.
Monday I need to mow and aerate then apply fertilizer with dursban
(sod webworms are everywhere) then apply two more apps 1lb of N / 1k sq. ft BEFORE September.
I have only seen one other athletic field with such poor soil.
It looked like it was constructed of quarry slurry.
This job is a two-field soccer complex that was planted last year.
The topsoil actually subsoil really sucks with little natural nutrients or organic matter. My only salvation is they have a bought a rain train and irrigate as needed.
Monday I need to mow and aerate then apply fertilizer with dursban
(sod webworms are everywhere) then apply two more apps 1lb of N / 1k sq. ft BEFORE September.
I have only seen one other athletic field with such poor soil.
It looked like it was constructed of quarry slurry.
If you can avoid aerating during the hot summer periods, you would be doing your turf a favor because there is little recuperative potential during high temp periods. It would take a much longer time to fill in and would stress the turf to a level that it would be much more prone to disease/insects and other abiotic stresses.
Thanks guys, I guess I will wait till fall. Bill Craig, I was thinking about it because a customer asked about it, for their lawn o' rock. They had a new septic system put in 2 years ago, and the contractors decided to use dirt, it really seems like they just planted the grass into fill, with no top soil. They dont want any major re-working of the area, and it is so compacted that grass no longer grows in it, just a few weeds. What I am thinking now is that i will do it during the fall, try to add some decent top soil to the area at the same time, and overseed like heck. THanks for the advice guys, once again, lawnsite has helped me tremendously.
Aeration during the summer is fine. Too hot to seed. The ground Temp will burn any young roots long before the fall comes
I would advise the customer to wait for cooler temps. If they still want to do it, and or paying extra for the service. Thats great for your bank account.
I would advise the customer to wait for cooler temps. If they still want to do it, and or paying extra for the service. Thats great for your bank account.
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