We perform this practice using a Soil Reliever. This machine has the capacity to vertically penetrate the soil to a depth of 12″ with either 7/8’s solid tines or a selection of hollow tines that could actually aerate and pull material from the playing surface, depending on what the fields need. Tines penetrate, then fracture the soil at the lower depth with a forward and back action. Tines are spaced on 6″ centers. The depth of penetration is dependent upon depth of the fields irrigation system and the underlying compaction of the soil. If the irrigation system is deep enough it may take us more than one visit to achieve a 12” depth of aeration.
We have a smaller deep tine machine that is designed for golf greens and smaller areas. This machine also has a wide variety of tine options.
Keep in mind that this type of aeration should never be substituted for a “surface aeration” which we recommend be done minimally once per year. This type of aeration helps relieve compaction below surface aeration and break up any “plow pan” that could be created. We recommend that this practice be performed annually or at a minimum biannually.
