Having the greenest, healthiest-looking lawn on the block is a coveted title for homeowners across the country. While there are many strategies for keeping your lawn in top shape, it is important not to overlook scalping as part of your annual care. Tom Poen, president of Weedex, Inc., in Dallas/Ft. Worth, offers his expertise on lawn scalping.

Aeration or “core aeration,” as many call it, is the process of exposing your soil to the air by removing plugs of soil from the turf. The resulting hollows allow water and nutrients to move through the soil, increasing the quality and health of grass over time and resulting in stronger roots.

Aeration involves using a tool or a machine to puncture the soil. By loosening the soil under a lawn, aeration incorporates oxygen into the soil, helps water to penetrate, and improves both drainage and the absorption of nutrients vital for turf growth. Many years ago, home lawn enthusiasts would sometimes wear golf spikes and walk across their lawns to accomplish aeration, but this method is not recommended, as golf spikes are not long enough to accomplish effective aeration.