There is hardly a debate in turf grass management about the importance of aeration. Aeration is necessary to grow healthy turf with limited chemical intervention. However, when it comes to solid vs. hollow tines, there are specific differences that must be analysed. Solid and hollow tine aeration can be part of standard turf grass management protocol. Here are all the differences you should understand about the solid vs. hollow tine aeration.
Before understanding the differences between solid and hollow tines, it’s crucial to know what aeration does for the soil and turf. The main goals of aeration include:
Both solid tines and hollow tines will provide these benefits. However, there are instances and applications where a solid or hollow tine may be a better fit.
A solid tine is similar to a spike in that it punches holes into the soil but does not remove any turf or soil. Solid tines used in the Redexim Verti-Drain speed up recovery time.
The positives of using solid tines include less disruption to the soil surface, ideal for quick aeration, and the fact that they can be used more for regular maintenance.
Solid tines, however, are less effective in eliminating deep soil compaction. If solid tine aeration is done without hollow tine aeration periodically it can lead to soil compaction over time. Solid tines also have limited thatch removal capabilities simply because of their design.
A hollow tine is a cylindrical tool used in turf grass maintenance that removes plugs of the soil profile and thatch. A hollow tine aeration aims to improve soil health and relieve compaction.
The hollow tines are more effective in relieving soil compaction, and they also significantly remove thatch. With a hollow tine aeration, water, nutrients, and oxygen can easily penetrate the soil.
Hollow tine aeration is disruptive to the turf surface and requires more clean-up work and longer recovery times. Hollow tine aeration is not always needed in turf areas with very light use.
Now that you understand what a solid and hollow tine is, let’s break down some critical differences and usage recommendations.
Hollow tine aeration is ideal when the turf enters or exits the growing season. Applications for hollow tine aeration typically occur during the spring or fall in areas with heavy foot traffic.
Solid tine aeration can be done more frequently, although typically used during the growing season. Solid tine aeration can (and should) be used as a regular maintenance practice to improve the health of the soil and turf.
| Aspect | Solid Tines | Hollow Tines |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Punch holes into the soil without removing cores, creating smaller openings. | Remove cores of soil from the ground, creating larger holes. |
| Soil Compaction Relief | Less effective for deep compaction; more suited for surface aeration. | Highly effective in relieving deep soil compaction. |
| Thatch Removal | Limited thatch removal due to lack of soil extraction. | Excellent for removing thatch and soil, allowing for a significant exchange of soil and organic material. |
| Soil Disruption and Turf Recovery Times | Less disruptive, turf recovers more quickly. | More disruptive, requiring a longer recovery time for the turf. |
| Aeration Depth | Typically shallower aeration affecting the surface and immediate subsurface layers. | Allows for deeper aeration, reaching further into the soil. |
| Usage Frequency | It can be done more frequently as it is less intensive. | Less frequent; usually done 1-2 times per year due to the intensive nature of the process. |
| Best Used For | Regular lawn maintenance, light-use areas, or as a supplement to hollow tine aeration. | Heavy-use areas, golf course greens, sports fields, and areas with significant soil compaction. |
| Water/Nutrient Penetration | Moderate improvement in water, air, and nutrient penetration, mainly at the surface level. | Enhanced due to larger holes, facilitating deeper penetration of water, air, and nutrients. |
| Ideal Conditions | Can be performed in a wider range of soil moisture conditions. | Best performed in moist conditions, avoiding very dry or very wet soils. |
The schedule and type of aeration is highly dependent on the facility and application. Some of the things to consider include:
Solid and hollow tine aeration should be combined with other turf management practices. These include integration with fertilisation and overseeding, as well as water management. Choose genuine Redexim tines when completing any aeration process. Redexim tines used in the Verti-Drain, Verti-Core, and Easy-Core come in various sizes and styles to suit the needs of any application.