Lawn Hollow Tine Aeration

Winchester, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Southampton, Fareham & Waterlooville

Lawn Aeration


Lawn aeration is best performed in spring or autumn using a machine that is comprised of several rows of hollow tines. These tines are plunged into the ground to a depth of approximately 3”. Cores of soil are pulled out onto the lawn's surface. These cores will break down and disappear naturally over the course of a week or two. Core Aeration reduces soil compaction often caused by lawn rollers, construction equipment, or heavy foot traffic. It also aids in the breakdown of thatch while improving flow of air, water, and nutrients to the root system. This will increase effectiveness of fertilizers and waterings promoting a deeper root system making for a healthier and more drought tolerant lawn. Aeration creates an excellent seed bed and provides a great opportunity for over-seeding.

Showing how lawn aeration benefits the lawn


Here's How To Have A Great Looking Lawn.


A good looking lawn has a very pleasing and restful affect on the eye, and it is usually a good lawn that makes a property look good too. A bad lawn can make the whole garden (and property) look tired.


But a good looking lawn needs to have a regular service and regular feeding, like most other living things, and will only deteriorate over time if not looked after.


What causes a lawn to deteriorate?

Compaction is the number one cause of most lawn problems and this can only be rectified by the process of Aeration.

Soil will naturally compact over a period of time due to people walking on it, vehicles and mowers rolling over it, and the weather beating down on it. So every now and then the turf needs to be de-compacted to give the grass a favourable chance of survival.


What is Hollow Tine Aeration

Hollow-tine aeration is the most important treatment a lawn can have. This is done by extracting small cores out of the lawn which allows oxygen, nutrients and water to enter the root zone which stimulates better root growth. It also penetrates sub-surface thatch allowing it to break down whilst relieving compaction and helping with surface drainage.


The one single most important item in having a good looking lawn is to have it aerated with a “Hollow Tine” machine, at least once a year. Golf Courses do it 8 to 10 time a year.


1st Garden Maintenance can offer you the best Aeration service by aerating your lawn with 45 holes per square metre, 12 mm wide and up to 100 mm deep.


The best time of year to have this treatment is either in the Autumn or Spring, but it could be carried out at any time when the ground is not frozen or baked hard. If the lawn is in bad shape or has never been aerated before, have it done as soon as possible to give the grass a fighting chance throughout the season. Because “Hollow Tine Aeration” causes the grass to grow much stronger, this in itself helps to prevents diseases developing in the lawn.


Why does my lawn need aeration?  

Over time, your lawn can become compacted by the pounding of heavy rains and by simply walking on it. The compacted surface inhibits water, nutrients, and air from reaching the plant’s root system.


When is the best time to aerate?  

Aeration can be done anytime during the growing season. How many times your lawn needs aerating depends on its soil compaction. The two most popular times to aerate are in spring and Autumn. Spring aeration gives grass plants a little extra boost and provides faster greening; Autumn aeration helps strengthen underground root systems while providing an excellent bed for over-seeding.


How does an aerator work? 

The most common type is a Hollow tine Aerator that removes small plugs from the turf. These Hollow Tine Aerators have a minimum penetration of 3 inches and remove plugs up to 1/2" inch in diameter. 


What are some immediate and long-term benefits?  

Aeration immediately opens up the soil to air, water, and nutrients. The openings allow air penetration and better water movement, and give the grass plant roots a place to stretch out and grow to become more vigorous and dense.


Over time, aerated lawns are less susceptible to disease and thatch buildup. In some cases, the process can even solve small thatch problems. In addition, aeration reduces water runoff and increases turf tolerance to heat and drought.


Aeration is a natural process that has no ill side effects. Even the small plugs left behind by core-type aerators are beneficial. In the process of breaking down, they deposit a light coating of top dressing that helps decompose thatch accumulated at the base of grass plants.


Sign up for our lawn care Service today!

If you want to help your grass flourish throughout the year, then our lawn care services are for you! Fertilisation weed control, core aeration, and moss control benefit your lawn's health and enhance its appearance. At 1st Garden Maintenance, we have proudly provided professional lawn care services to Winchester, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Southampton, Fareham and Waterlooville since 1987. We back our work with a personal 100% iron-clad, risk-free, money-back guarantee and are committed to delivering the best results for our clients. Sign up for our lawn care services today by clicking on the green button to get a free estimate.

The aeration holes cut in the lawn

The picture to the right shows a sample core that has been taken out of the lawn with a Hollow Tine Aerator Machine.

The picture to the left shows the lawn after it has been aerated with a hollow tine machine.

A core of soil cut by a Hollow Time Aeration Machine
Share by: