Aeration is one of the best things that you can do for your lawn. When you aerate your lawn, you break up compaction and improve the lawn’s overall structure.
While mechanical core aeration has been around for a long time, today there’s another option called liquid aeration.
A lot of homeowners want to know: Which is better, liquid or core aeration?
We can tell you right upfront that if you really compare liquid vs core aeration effectiveness, there’s really no topping mechanical core aeration. While we think liquid aeration for lawns is a great service (and it is one that we provide at Grassperson), it does have some shortcomings compared to liquid aeration. And it is most effective when used in conjunction with mechanical core aeration.
In this article, we’ll explain more!
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Let’s talk about how each of these methods works so that you can have a better understanding of what they can offer for your lawn.
The process of liquid aeration involves using a liquid product that loosens the soil and reduces compaction without the need for any mechanical equipment.
It involves products working on a chemical level to break up bonds between the molecules that are causing soil compaction in the first place.
We recommend liquid aeration one to two times per year depending on soil condition and lawn usage.
Once per year (typically in spring or early fall) for healthy lawns and twice per year for compacted lawns.
When we apply liquid aeration in the Spring, we can jump-start root growth and nutrient uptake heading into the growing season.
The Fall application will prepare the soil for winter dormancy and encourages strong root development before the cooler months. We do not want to apply liquid aeration during extreme heat or drought stress.
Instead of using a liquid product to aerate, core aeration uses a piece of equipment called an aerator to pull small soil plugs (or cores) throughout your lawn. This allows more oxygen, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil, down to the root zone.
The core aeration process is two-fold as making the holes helps to break up compaction but so does leaving the cores of soil on the ground. That’s because these decompose and add nutrients back into your soil.
This plays an important role in improving the overall structure of your lawn as well.
The benefits of liquid aeration are essentially the same as mechanical aeration. Liquid aeration can help break down compaction and improve soil structure.This leads to better root development and overall healthier grass.
Many people also view the fact that there are no holes or cores of soil left on the ground as a benefit. They might see this as an eyesore or messy. But it’s also important to remember that it is these elements that help make mechanical core aeration so effective.
But it’s fair to say that the advantages of liquid aeration are mostly focused on the lack of temporary “disruption” that homeowners might feel core aeration causes.
A “con” of liquid aeration would be that results are slow.
Liquid aeration generally produces gradual improvements in turf health and appearance. Our clients don’t see visible plugs of soil on the lawn afterward but the liquid product works beneath the surface and produces results over time (though likely not as impactful results as would be seen with physical core aeration).
This results in more of a slow and steady improvement versus an immediate impact that some clients experience with our core aeration.
Core aeration can be highly effective when it comes to breaking up compaction and obtaining all of the benefits that come as a result of that. These benefits of core aeration include a stronger root system, broken up thatch, better drainage, and overall healthier turf.
The mechanical process of aerating a lawn is also more effective and will produce faster results.
But homeowners might consider the fact that holes and cores of soil are left behind as a downside. As we mentioned above, it might be seen as a temporary disruption.
As we mentioned at the start, we actually recommend that homeowners consider BOTH liquid and core aeration if they truly want to have the best lawn on the block.
Both of these aeration methods are valuable and using them together can deliver amazing results. And they work hand-in-hand to help you significantly improve the overall structure and health of your lawn.
We know that core aeration provides better compaction relief while liquid aeration helps to improve soil structure long after the plugs are gone. So, when these services are performed at the same time, they’re building on each other.
When used together, they provide both instant and long-term soil improvement — especially beneficial for heavily compacted or clay-based soils which are common in North Texas.
At the end of the day, making sure that you are working with a professional will help you to get the most out of aeration services.
Performing DIY aeration is not very simple. A mechanical core aerator can be a difficult piece of equipment to operate and without a pro, you won’t get high-quality results.
Similarly, with liquid aeration, you want to make sure that you’re getting commercial-grade, professional products applied to your lawn that will help you achieve maximum success.
If you truly care about achieving superior results, then this is a service that should be left to the pros.
At Grassperson, it is our goal to take away the burdens that you don’t want to deal with and help you achieve the great lawn results you desire. When professionally performed, lawn aeration is going to help your lawn roots to grow longer and stronger, which is going to lead to healthier grass.
Soon, you’ll be on your way to having the best lawn on the block.
Ready to get the results that you desire for your lawn in the Flower Mound, Highland Village, or Lewisville, TX area? Get a free quote and then enjoy the best lawn with no worries!
