Both liquid and core aeration will help you lawn by reducing soil compaction, providing better water, nutrient and air flow to the roots; controlling thatch development; improving drainage and reducing runoff; and decreasing compaction.

Reduced Soil Compaction

The main benefit of lawn aeration is how it breaks up compacted soil, making the soil looser and lighter so that the grass root grow deeper. There are many other benefits that come from the dirt being less compressed. Lawns that are used more often and more heavily (such as those children frequently play on or heavy dogs daily run on) tend to get compacted more quickly and should be aerated at least once a year, and sometimes twice a year, to avoid very compacted ground.

Even though the compaction is often a result of soil composition, sometimes this compaction can result from lots of traffic across your lawn. One way that you can reduce foot traffic is by using a garden cart in your back lawn. Lawns with a lot of hills or a large amount of clay in the dirt also need frequent aeration.

Better Water, Nutrient and Air Flow to the Roots
Core aeration leaves 1-4 inch deep holes in the lawn after the dirt plugs are pulled out of the ground. Those spaces make it easy for water, nutrients and air to flow directly to the exposed roots. The roots can move into those areas as they grow deeper into the ground instead of remaining in the shallow topsoil.

Control Thatch Development
Because core aeration pulls grass and dirt cores out of the lawn, it also removes some thatch. Between the grass and the top of the soil, there is a layer of interconnected decomposing organic materials (leaves, grass clippings, pine needles, etc.) called thatch. A lawn should have some thatch, but it can become a problem if it is allowed to get too thick. Sometimes liquid aerators and liquid aeration can contain chemicals that will also help break down this thatch layer.

Excessive thatch can impede the flow of nutrients, water and air to the grass roots keeping them above the soil line so they can’t move into the ground t the roots. Aeration removes some of the thatch with the grass and dirt and also breaks it up, helping to reduce the amount and how quickly it grows.

Improved Drainage and Reduced Runoff
When the soil is less compacted, water can move through the layers of the ground instead of running off along the top. Pools of standing water and over-saturated areas will also be decreased.

Less Drought Damage
After aerating, more water will flow into the ground to roots that are deeper. This makes it easier for the lawn to handle hot temperatures and dry days. The grass will become more drought- resistant and bounce back faster when the drought is over.