Aeration

Under aeration refers to the aeration of the soil of a lawn. By means of so-called Spoons a Aerifiziergerätes be 5-9 cm stung deep holes in the lawn. These usually have a diameter of 1 to 2 cm. Also by the " spikes " mentioned operation, the compaction is broken, it takes place an exchange of gas, thus the soil life of the aerobic bacteria and grass growth is promoted. The resulting holes are then filled with sand. In many cases, the sand are additionally added yet lawn seed and fertilizer ( Topdress ). Treatment with a Aerifiziergerät cured mostly jam oozing and moss growth. Waterlogging occurs when the soil is heavily compacted, as is the case for example in clay or loam soils. The rain water is prevented from penetrating into the soil and accumulates in itself, or the ground water pushes from the bottom up and can not penetrate as well. The result is a root die; the grass dies. Aeration is not to be confused with scarifying. When scarifying the treatment of the turf surface occurs, the aeration, however, cultivates the soil. The objectives of the Aerifizierens are a deeply effective Ausflockerung the soil as well as a kind of drainage, so that rain water can flow freely again and the roots can be ventilated

Following the aeration is - if not already done during the sanding - a reseeding and fertilization performed. On golf greens, the total area is nachgesandet after aeration and leveled ( towed ), see top dressing.

Aeration in a private household

The Aerifiziervorgang is already common practice at all the major golf and football pitches. Since the treatment of the lawn is complex, it is in home use rather unknown. While golf courses are great devices harnessed to lawn mower or farm machinery, existierem also commercially Handaerifizierer for lawns smaller than 200 square meters.

Aerifiziergeräte

A distinction is made between two different types of Aerifiziererstacheln: The spiked with which the holes are produced, can hollow ( " Spoons" ) or massive. Massive spikes produce holes by displacement of the earth. This has sometimes meant that the rain water is still not sufficiently drained. Hollow Spoons have the advantage that during insertion of Aerifiziergerätes an excavation is created, which can be removed from the ground. The soil loosening is hereby effective. In the devices, the number of tines varied so that there is equipment to acquire two to five or even more tines. Here the factors of effectiveness, but also the effort to play a role that is required during insertion of the device into the ground.

The Aerifiziersaison

Aeration is usually performed in front of a seasonal growth spurt of the lawn, so the period from mid-March to early May. You Aerifiziert too late or too early, this can damage the lawn, so care should be taken that neither dry nor heat waves are expected, or even frost. It also lends itself to aerate a second time before or during the fall season, so in September to mid-October. Depending on the soil and climatic conditions, this also vary, so faces are aerifiziert often.

Aeration was developed by Tom Mascaro 1946. Devices can be seen in: Mascaro / Stony Turfgrass Museum of Penn State University. (Tom Mascaro also invented 1955 scarifying. )