AERATION

AERATION
PART 2.

Aeration methods and machines.

A number of aeration methods and machines have been developed over the years, each type with its own strengths and weakness.

1. Hollow Tine (core) Aeration.

Coring is a form of aeration involving the use of a hollow tine or spoon to remove soil cores that leaves a hole or cavity in the sod. The core diameter and depth of penetration may vary to suit the requirement.

The soil core lifted out by the coring technique may be;

a.Removed when the underlying soil is of an undesirable texture and structure.
b.Broken up and worked back into the turfgrass surface

2. Forking/Solid Tine Aeration.

Forking is a form of aeration involving the use of a fork or similar solid tined device that punches small holes in the sod but does not remove a core. The solid tine diameter and depth may vary to suit the requirement. Forking causes limited surfaces disruptions

3.Grooving Aeration.

Grooving is a form of aeration involving the use of vertical rotating knives that cut vertical slits through the turf and into the soil. The depth of grooves can be varied down to 100mm. Grooving is commonly used for dethatching and overseeding purposes.

4.Slicing Aeration

Slicing is a form of aeration involving a vertical cutting action that provides soil openings and loosening. Its accomplished with disks or rigid V-shaped knives mounted on heavy circular wheels. The slicing unit is pulled across the turfgrass surface as the disks or knives penetrate the soil, immediate results are channels that allow water and air to reach the root system. Slicing can also be used to sever the lateral stems of bermudagrass, in order to encourage lateral growth.

5.Deep Spiking Aeration.

Spiking is a form of aeration involving the perforation of a turfgrass surface by use of blades mounted on rotating disks. The design and weight of the spiker is an important factor in terms of overall effectiveness. Both powered and mounted units are available for alleviation of compaction with minimal surface disruption. The spiking operation also severs stolons and rhizomes and stimulates juvenile shoot and root growth.

6.Shatter/ Linear Aeration.

Shatter is a form of aeration involving the use of vertical rotating blades that slice vertical slits through the turf and into the soil to a depth of 450mm. The blades are made with a curved profile to preserve the blades overall length as it wears. The blades have a slight offset that leads to lateral shift in the sliced section of soil with each blade pass causing the soil to shatter.

7.Deep Tine Aeration.

Deep tine is a form of aeration method using solid tines to create deep holes into the turf without removing any soil. The inserted tine kicks back and forth  to gently lift and shake up the soil in a uniform manner to further break up compaction and create space in the soil profile for air, water and roots. Deep tine aeration can also allow water to drain through the soil on fields that were heavily compacted.

8.Deep Drilling Aeration.

Deep drill is a form of aeration where a series of drills mounted on a metal frame, that can be raised and lowered. The drills working in unison, bore holes into the soil and extract material as they penetrate. Drill aeration is a very effective way of creating a deep channel through the soil on a heavily compacted soil, and the soil that is removed can be easily dragged over the surface.

9.Water - Injection Aeration.

Water – injection is a form of aeration that uses self-contained pumps that generate micro-streams of water at very high pressure. This micro-stream can penetrate the soil to a depth of up to 450mm, and they create a hole that’s so small most people walking across the turf will not realize aeration has taken place. Roots grow freely into the small channels created by the injection, with limited surface disruption.

10.Air - Injection Aeration.

Air – injection is a form of aeration that uses three probes to laterally inject pressurised air up to 300 mm beneath the surface of the soil. These laterally injected air blasts loosen compacted soil immediately, without any disruption to the surface of the turf or the roots below. The result is a healthy rootzone and excellent microbial activity to encourage root growth.

Media Department; The RS Group.