Benefits of Aerification

Aerification and why it is important

Deep Tine Spacing

Deep Tine Depth
(From Inside Golf Pin)

Aerification is the mechanical process of creating air space in the soil that promotes a healthy rooting system for natural turf. Healthy rooting systems are an integral part of a successful golf course and athletic field management programs.

Turfgrass on Golf and Athletic Fields sustain a significant amount of stress and constant pounding due to athletic play, foot traffic, and maintenance equipment. By removing cores from the compacted soil, an infusion of air, water, and nutrients enhance the turf by bringing a resurgence of growth, and keeping the turf durable during stressful conditions.

Aerification Plugs

Aerification should be a part of every Turfgrass maintenance program because it is absolutely necessary for maintaining healthy and durable Turfgrass. Failure to perform this simple maintenance can result in poorly drained soil, thin Turfgrass stands, and continued problems with disease. Aerification can benefit your turf by achieving the following objectives:

    Helps Control Thatch

    Relieves Compaction

      Promotes a Deeper Rooting System

When is Aerification beneficial?

When the ground is not frozen, Aerification, can be beneficial at any time of the year.
March is a great month to use a quality solid tine on golf course fairways. The solid tine will help remove moisture from the surface and assist in the drying out process from a long wet winter
Deep tining is common in the months of April, May, and June. Turf roots are very active during these months and will benefit from added oxygen and water that deep tining provides
The most popular time for Aerfication, however, are in the fall months. Turf roots are preparing for the winter. In addition, less play on golf courses and some athletic fields during this time make the turf easily accessible for Aerification

What types of Aerification are available?

For golf course fairways there are usually 3 types of choices:

Solid tine of up to 4-5 inches
Coring Tine which pulls plugs and thatch for up to 4-5 inches
Deep tine which can penetrate anywhere from 5-14 inches (depending on soil conditions)

With greens and tees you are provided a better and more abundant choice.

Deep Tine at a depth of 5-14 inches
Walking greens aerator with plugging tines, or solid tines
Needle point type of tine on greens if you want the holes to heal up faster

                      Hollow Tines                                                            Coring Tines

                                                             *New* Titan Split Tines

        Read the June Issue of Toro's Advantage Magazine for information about the new Titan Split Tines.


                                                 http://www.toro.com/golf/advantage/cm_ta_16.pdf

Sports Turf News Article:

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