Aeration will relieve compaction, improve drainage and allow more air into the root system leading to a healthier lawn.

Basic aeration can be carried out by use of a garden fork or for a more professional solution consider using a mechanical aerating machine. Aeration equipment can be hired from your local hire shop.

The benefits of aeration

• Improved drainage

• Improves compacted soils

• Improves root development

• Allows air into the soil, creating a healthy rootzone where roots will live

• Which in turn will improve the general health of the plant

How to aerate

• Aerate between September and February

• Aerate as often as possible

• Ideally aerate at different depths each time

• When aerating try to make holes or slits as close as possible

• Consider what type of aeration is required:
  

  Hollow tine	Removal of soil
  Hand hollow tine	Collecting cores
  Solid tine	Also known as spiking (i.e. with a fork)
  Slitting	Less surface disturbance