Introducing aeration and de-compaction
Aeration is the secret game changer.
Aeration has many benefits – some of them surprising:
- It improves surface conditions
- Encourages improved penetration of water, air and fertiliser straight to the rootzone
- Certain machines such as deep spikers and linear decompaction machines also improve soil structure aswell as rooting capacity
- May lead to longer usage from the surface
- Releases toxic gases from the soil while introducing oxygen
- Increases shoot growth
Did you know it is thought to be the most important groundskeeping technique in reducing player injury?
Not to mention, a well-aerated pitch is springy and dense, boosting player enjoyment and performance. In fact, expert aeration can create a controlled drop in the hardness of the playing surface when it’s needed most.
So why do we need aeration?
In essence, aeration is spiking, slicing or boring holes into your pitch. As a minimum you ideally need to do this during spring and autumn and there are a range of tools and techniques you can choose from.
The terms aeration and de-compaction are often used interchangeably but the subtle difference is that machines capable of decompaction are mechanically decompacting the soil as opposed to simply aerating it.
Without aeration, living and dead organic matter builds up and forms a compact layer called thatch. Thatch starves the roots of water and nutrients meaning the roots stay shallow and the grass is sparse. Thatch also creates an ideal environment for turf pests to inhabit and disease to develop.
Proper aeration creates holes that penetrate the thatch and reach the soil below. Oxygen, nutrients and water are channelled deeper, causing the grass roots to drive themselves deeper into the soil to reach their sustenance forming a rich network.
In the following 8-10 weeks, new grass plants appear and the deeper, richer system of roots help to improve soil structure. This, coupled with free air exchange, helps beneficial micro-organisms break down that tightly woven thatch layer.
What happens when aeration isn’t done properly?
Poor aeration will have two key effects on the field – poor turf health and poor drainage.
Poor turf health can cause sections of turf to be ripped up by players. A pitch that won’t drain properly will become increasingly saturated with water in its top layer, especially during periods of extended rainfall.
Together these can cause training disruptions, a slippery surface, weaker command of the ball and a whole lot of repair work for you. Players and coaches will be looking to you for a quick fix. Better to protect your asset with a preventative pitch maintenance routine that includes proper aeration