I don't know what type of grass specie(s) you have in your lawn...but generally most if not all MAJOR northern U.S. turf grass species, including bluegrass and tall fescue, can extend their root systems down 5, 6 inches deep or more, largely depending upon what porosity of soil it's growing in, as well as other factors such as nutrition, proper light, etc.

When I aerate...the deeper the better !

 

2-3" is pretty much the norm for all aerators. I don't know if this is because any deeper would be very difficult to handle due to the size and weight of machine needed, or if any deeper would have very little effect. I have friend who works for a golf course and they bring in a sub with some big machines that actually drill out the holes I believe he said like 6" deep.

 

2-3" is pretty much the norm for all aerators. I don't know if this is because any deeper would be very difficult to handle due to the size and weight of machine needed, or if any deeper would have very little effect. I have friend who works for a golf course and they bring in a sub with some big machines that actually drill out the holes I believe he said like 6" deep.

Heck...even my wife runs around with the Classen pull-behind; and she'd NEVER be satisfied with just 2-3" !!

 

Good double entendre. What I was saying is most aerators are only designed to pull up to a 3" core. The weight needed for the tines to get any deeper would be too much for all day use, unless it was a ride on. A drum type would probably tear everything up so drilling is really the only option for a deeper aeration.