Module 3:

3.3 When are they carried out?

3.3.2 Aerating / Forking

Aerating a wet soil using metal tines can typically produce which one of the following conditions?

This can be carried out anytime of the year (with some limitations when too dry or wet) with peak activities taking place around renovation times (April / May) and Autumn (September to November). If the soil is too dry and hard then mechanical aeration with tines may result in them just bouncing along the surface, whilst if the soil is too wet (especially during wintertime) the tines can smear the soil, increasing surface ponding, as well as compacting the soil profile.

If the soil is dry and weather conditions are warm to hot with long periods without rainfall (or with only very limited irrigation), then mechanical aeration of a pitch can result in tine holes staying open, or cracks forming, with the adjacent grass becoming discoloured and potentially dying out. Playing in these ground conditions can at times be potentially dangerous, especially if large cracks are present.