After having your lawn aerated, you may notice clumps of soil scattered across it. Don't worry, this is completely normal! These clumps are called soil cores and are a result of the aeration process, where they are removed to alleviate compaction. It's best to leave them alone, as they will decompose naturally and return vital nutrients to your lawn. However, if you dislike their appearance, you can speed up their decomposition by breaking them up with a rake or mowing over them. It's not recommended to remove them altogether, though, as they are beneficial to your lawn's health. By understanding the purpose of these soil cores and allowing them to decompose, you can ensure your lawn in Oklahoma thrives after aeration.

What are the clumps of soil on your lawn after aeration?

Lawn in Tulsa, OK, with leftover soil cores from aeration.

After your lawn has been aerated, you may notice clumps of soil scattered across its surface. These clumps are known as soil cores and are a natural part of the aeration process. Aeration involves using a machine to pull up plugs of soil, which helps to alleviate compaction and improve the flow of nutrients, water, air, and sunlight to the roots of your grass. The soil cores you see are the result of this process. They are typically about 2-3 inches long and are left on the surface of your lawn after the aeration machine has passed over it. While they may not be the most attractive sight, they are a sign that your lawn has been properly aerated and is on its way to becoming healthier and more vibrant.

What should you do with the soil cores after aeration?

After aeration, it's best to leave the soil cores alone. They will naturally decompose over time, breaking down and returning the nutrients they contain back into your lawn. This process is beneficial for your turf's overall health and vitality. The decomposing soil cores were once part of your lawn, so leaving them is ideal to avoid taking away the nutrients. By leaving the soil cores in place, you are giving your lawn the best chance to recover and thrive after aeration.

The soil cores left on your lawn after aeration will decompose in about 2-4 weeks.

What should you do if you really hate the look of the soil cores?

If you find the appearance of the soil cores from aeration unsightly and want to speed up their decomposition process, there are a couple of things you can do. One option is to break them up with a rake. Gently raking over the soil cores will help to disperse them and accelerate their breakdown. Another option is to mow over them. The blades of the lawn mower will chop them up into smaller pieces, which will make them less conspicuous and decompose faster. However, it's important to note that these methods are not necessary and are purely for aesthetic reasons. The soil cores will naturally decompose on their own, and removing them altogether is not recommended. The nutrients they contain are important for your lawn's health, and removing them would mean missing out on those benefits.

Call Us to Sign Up for Our Core Aeration Service

At LBR, we offer a core aeration service that is designed to loosen compacted soil and make it easier for nutrients and other resources to reach the roots of your grass. We offer this service in the spring and fall, and we recommend scheduling it on an annual basis to ensure your lawn always has access to everything it needs to thrive.

Our core aeration service is available to residential and commercial property owners, as well as HOAs, in Tulsa, Owasso, Broken Arrow, OK, and nearby areas. Give us a call today at (918) 252-5296 to sign up and let us help you achieve the lush, green lawn you've always wanted.