Turf aeration is not about the use of single machines or technique - it's about adopting a specific Turf Aeration Programme; a planned maintenance schedule that can be adapted on various different levels according to budget and capital investment capabilities.

Successful aeration can be achieved very easily, but relying on conventional soil aeration in isolation can risk being too localised in action.  Hollow coring, verti-draining, conventional slitting and solid tining are localised, only really affecting the area immediately around the tine.

A growing number of forward-thinking local authority and sports facility groundsmen are taking the more progessive view that part of their aeration programme should incorporate methods to control thatch as part of an ongoing thatch control policy, rather that allow it to accumulate then try to remove it.

To achieve this we recommend using the Imants Rotoknife slitter aerator - a fast and versatile rootzone management tool, to slice into the pitch surface down to 150mm.  By constantly slitting with the Rotoknife, the integrity of the thatch is compromised allowing air and water to pass through.

This can then be followed with an Imants Shockwave to create inter-communicating pathways through the rootzone linking all areas together.  The Shockwave's linear action, operating at depths of 120mm to 260mm, creates lateral pathways for movement of water between the existing drainage lines.  This enables the transfer of air and water to work at the optimum throughout the whole rootzone and also allows the uniform spread of organic agents, which can promote the healthy development of all the plants occupying the treated soil.

The third pass in the sequence to fully aerate the turfed areas is to use the Vertidrain.  Although less robust than the Shockwave, it provides excellent full vertical decompaction and is often recommended as an effective aeration procedure to carry out three or four times per year. 

Another perhaps surprising consequence of using mechanical methods to improve soil conditions is a reduction in the use of fertilisers and soil treatments to aid growth.  The fine top layer of better quality turfs can be aerated in a more environmentally-friendly way by using a Koro Recycling Dresser to remove the soil and re-spread it as a dressing.  A mixed homogeneous top layer has fewer dehydration probelms, encourages biological activity and is less prone to disease and pests.

We have demonstrated our range of specialist aeration machinery on a comprehensive tour taking in a number of sporting venues across Europe this spring.  They provided a 'hands-on' opportunity for anyone responsible for turf maintenance in the public and private sectors to see the latest pitch renovation and maintenance techniques carried out by a range of specialist machinery.

"The demonstration days vividly illustrate the causes and effects of play on a variety of sports surfaces and how to counteract that through effective aeration and renovation procedures," said Simon Gumbrill.

Article reproduced courtesy of Turf Professional.  

To download the press release as a pdf please click here - GET THE KNIVES OUT - VARIED AERATION METHODS PRODUCE THE BEST RESULTS