If you've recently had your lawn aerated in West Michigan, 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 natural part of the aeration process. They are created when an aerator machine pulls up small plugs of soil from the ground to alleviate compaction and improve air, water, and nutrient flow to the roots of your grass. It's best to leave them alone because they will decompose over time, returning essential nutrients back to the soil. However, if you don't like how they look, you can either break them up with a rake or mow over them to speed up the decomposition process. While you can remove them altogether, it's highly recommended that you don't do this because the nutrients they contain are important for soil health!

Why are there clumps of soil on your lawn after aeration?

Soil cores on a lawn in Grand Rapids, MI, after aeration.

After your lawn is aerated, you may notice clumps of soil scattered across it. These clumps are called soil cores, and they are a natural part of the aeration process. Aeration involves using a machine to pull up small plugs of soil from the ground to loosen compaction and improve air, water, and nutrient flow to the roots of your grass. The clumps you see are the result of this process. They are not harmful to your lawn and will eventually break down over time.

Aeration is typically performed in the summer or fall because lawns in Michigan are at their strongest during these times and can withstand the process.

What should you do with the soil cores from aeration?

Following aeration, you may be wondering what to do with the leftover soil cores, but it's best to leave them on your lawn. Over time, they will decompose and return valuable nutrients to the soil. After all, they were once a part of your lawn, so leaving them to break down will ensure it gets those nutrients back. This process is beneficial for your grass, as it helps improve soil structure and promotes healthy growth.

What should you do if you don't like how the soil cores look?

If you don't like how the soil cores from aeration look on your lawn, there are a few things you can do. You can break them up with a rake or mow over them to speed up the decomposition process. This will help them blend in with the rest of your lawn and become less noticeable. However, it's important to note that the soil cores will eventually break down on their own, so there's no need to worry about them being a permanent fixture on your lawn.

If you really can't stand the sight of the soil cores, you can remove them altogether. However, it's highly recommended that you don't do this. The soil cores contain valuable nutrients that are important for soil health, and removing them may deprive your grass of these nutrients. It's best to let them decompose naturally and benefit your lawn in the long run.

Give us a call today to schedule our core aeration service!

At Tuff Turf, we understand the importance of maintaining a healthy, vibrant lawn. That's why we offer our core aeration service to residential and commercial properties, as well as HOAs, in Grand Rapids, Holland, Rockford, and surrounding areas in West Michigan. Our core aeration service is designed to alleviate soil compaction. We use specialized equipment to remove small plugs of soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the root zone. This process promotes stronger root growth, better nutrient absorption, and improved overall lawn health. We typically perform this service in the summer or fall, and we'll leave the soil cores on your lawn to decompose naturally so they return valuable nutrients. Give us a call today at (616) 554-9499 to schedule our core aeration service!