Aerification is one of the most important practices in any turf management program. While pulling cores and relieving compaction are essential steps toward improving soil health, the true value of aerification lies in what happens afterward.
The channels created during aerification provide a unique opportunity to deliver nutrients, soil amendments, and biological technologies directly into the rootzone. When paired with the right products, aerification can do more than reduce compaction. It can accelerate recovery, improve rooting, and help turf return to peak performance faster.
Why Aerification Is Only Half the Equation
Aerification improves the movement of air, water, and nutrients through the soil profile while helping alleviate compaction and manage organic matter. However, the cultivation process also places stress on turf and temporarily impacts playability and appearance.
To maximize the benefits of aerification, turf managers should focus on supporting recovery through targeted nutrition and soil health technologies.
An effective aerification program should help:
- Encourage rapid turf recovery
- Promote healthy root development
- Improve nutrient availability
- Enhance soil structure
- Support long-term turf performance
- Return surfaces to play as quickly as possible
The products selected before, during, and after aerification can make all the difference.
Turn Aerification Channels into Nutrient Pathways
Aerification creates thousands of direct pathways into the rootzone, making it an ideal time to apply nutrients and soil-enhancing technologies.
The Andersons offers a portfolio of premium products designed specifically to capitalize on this window of opportunity. Many feature Dispersing Granule (DG) Technology, allowing granules to break apart into thousands of particles after irrigation for more uniform distribution throughout the turf canopy and soil profile. The result is efficient nutrient delivery precisely when turf needs it most.
Genesis Rx® DG 5-7-5
Four Technologies. One Powerful Recovery Solution.
When rapid recovery is the goal, Genesis Rx 5-7-5 delivers a powerful combination of nutrition and soil-enhancing technologies.
Key Features:
- Now fully dispersing formula (ATEP DG™, Humic DG™, Contec DG®, and SmartPhos® DG)
- 16% humic acid, 49% MUtech®, and 1% biochar
- Contains calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, and manganese
Why Use It Around Aerification?
Genesis Rx DG 5-7-5 combines four proven Andersons technologies into a single application, helping turf managers maximize the recovery window created by aerification:
- ATEP DG provides essential micronutrients and secondary nutrients to support overall turf health and vigor.
- Humic DG delivers concentrated humic acid to improve nutrient availability and support healthier soil conditions.
- Contec DG contributes balanced nutrition with controlled-release nitrogen to promote consistent growth and recovery.
- SmartPhos DG supplies plant-available phosphorus to encourage root development and establishment.
Genesis Rx® 3-4-3 Zeolite Plus
Maximize Rootzone Performance with Zeolite Technology
For turf managers looking to maximize the soil improvement benefits of aerification, Genesis Rx 3-4-3 Zeolite Plus' unique formulation with 49% zeolite helps improve nutrient retention, increase cation exchange capacity (CEC), and support more efficient water management in the soil profile.
Key Features:
- 49% zeolite for improved nutrient and moisture retention
- Beneficial microbial package to encourage biological activity
- 10.8% humic acid
- Calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, and manganese
- Dispersing Granule (DG) Technology
Why Use It Around Aerification?
Aerification creates a perfect opportunity to introduce soil-building technologies directly into the rootzone. The addition of zeolite, humic acid, and microbial components helps support a healthier soil environment while promoting efficient nutrient management.
Contec DG® 18-9-18
Balanced Fertility for Consistent Recovery
Contec DG 18-9-18 delivers a balanced nutrient package designed to support turf as it recovers from cultivation practices.
Key Features:
- 60% MUtech
- Contains sulfur, iron, and manganese
- Hi-Vis granules stay visible on turf, helping applicators avoid overlap and ensure accurate applications
- Greatly reduces mower pickup of fertilizer particles
- Dispersing Granule (DG) Technology
Why Use It Around Aerification?
Following aerification, turf requires a reliable source of nutrients to support growth and recovery. Contec DG 18-9-18 provides a combination of quick and controlled nutrient release to help turf regain density, color, and vigor.
ATEP DG™
Micronutrient Support During Stress and Recovery
ATEP DG provides essential secondary nutrients and micronutrients that can support turf through stressful periods, including post-aerification recovery.
Key Features:
- 10% humic acid and 9.6% biochar
- Contains magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc
- Dispersing Granule (DG) Technology
Why Use It Around Aerification?
Aerification often coincides with periods when turf is rebuilding roots and recovering from stress. ATEP DG supplies important micronutrients and humic acid to support overall plant health and performance during the recovery process.
Faster Recovery Starts with a Smarter Aerification Program
A successful aerification program extends far beyond the cultivation event itself. The open channels created during aerification provide a valuable opportunity to deliver nutrients, humic substances, micronutrients, and other soil-enhancing technologies directly into the rootzone where they can have the greatest impact. By pairing aerification with the right products, turf managers can promote stronger root development, improve nutrient availability, accelerate turf recovery, and enhance overall soil health. The result is a faster return to play, improved turf quality, and a stronger foundation for long-term performance. Don't just aerify. Capitalize on every aerification event with solutions designed to help turf recover faster and perform at its best.
