Time for soil aerification is now
Now is the time for core aerification of our warm season grasses. This is the year for aerification.
Core aerification is a cultivation process that opens the soil, allowing moisture and air into the root zone of turf grass. Timed correctly, aerification can stimulate rhizomes to initiate growth, causing the grass to grow sooner.
To stimulate growth and achieve surface coverage as early as possible, core aerification in late April through mid-May will likely benefit many lawns that suffered through multiple drought-induced dormancy periods last summer and fall. Core aerification could also help centipede grass and St. Augustine grass, which do not have rhizomes.
While the practice would not stimulate shoot growth from rhizomes that these species do not have, aerification relieves compaction that generally stimulates rooting and promotes deeper roots that pull water and nutrients from a greater soil volume. The result of aerification is an increase in growth and a healthier plant.
There are two types of aerification: hollow and solid tine. With the hollow aerification, a soil core is removed. With solid tine aerification, a hole is
created, and no core is removed. In both types of aerification, a void in the soil is created that allows air and water to penetrate the root zone more deeply. With either technique, the deeper the aerification holes the better.
Cores usually are 3-4 inches in depth and a half-inch in diameter.
The surrounding soil relaxes back into the void, opening pore space in the surrounding soil. This contributes to an overall improved air exchange and better water infiltration within the soil.
Grass will have less vigor this spring because of last summer. Avoid applying nitrogen fertilizer to warm-season grasses until soil temperatures at the 4-inch depth are above 65 degrees and rising.
Now is also a good time to do a soil sample. If you have questions regarding your yard, garden, or pasture, please do not hesitate to contact the Polk County Extension Service at 770-749-2142.
For more information and details on upcoming events, check out the Polk County Extension office on Facebook by searching “UGA Extension Polk County.”