Getting a Head Start on Summer: Aeration Programs for Healthier Greens

The two-part greens aeration program outlined below can help improve turf health, especially during the summer months, by alleviating compaction, improving infiltration and increasing gas exchange.

I. In April (when turf is growing rapidly and will recover quickly), implement the spring cultivation program below:

a. Core aerify to a depth of about 3 inches using 5/8-inch hollow core tines. Remove the cores (Figure 1).

b. Apply - inch dry sand that meets USGA particle size specifications (primarily 0.25 and 0.5…