Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/85891
business bests greens with dramatic results," Pereira says. "How- ever, many companies and customers still haven't embraced this simple service." Benefits for aeration include removing plugs to allow water, air and nutrients to filter into the roots of the grass resulting in healthier, stronger lawns, as well as fewer weeds and pest problems. Loosening soil in the root zone also allows roots to penetrate deeper, which can help turf increase tolerances to drought and heat. "Stimulating the growth and hardiness of the turf helps fill in patchy areas and defend against disease, drought and weed infestation, which can dramatically increase the aesthetic appeal of the turf," says Mike Simmon, product specialist for Grasshopper. "Healthy, attractive and well-maintained lawns improve curb-appeal, which in turn increases the professional image of the contractors maintaining these spaces," Simmon says. Buy or rent There is little upfront cost for this add-on service, other than buying or renting the aerator. But there are several points to consider when making this decision, such as your company's cash flow, the number of clients requesting aeration services, ser- vice frequency and whether your local equipment dealer offers rentals. Renting doesn't require significant capital up- front, but equipment availability could hamper scheduling, and replacement costs for damaged equipment can be costly. On the flip side, purchasing equipment requires more cash or credit up-front, but the equipment is always at your disposal, and the purchase can have Best Practices Equipment options There are three types of aerators to choose from: walk-behind, pull-behind and stand-on options, ranging in price from $2,000 to $9,000. The model you choose will depend on the type of property you service. For example, if you service multiple commercial tax advantages (consult a tax professional to learn more about effects of purchasing equipment). Jon Cundiff, owner of Weedman, a Lawn Care Company, in Kansas City, Missouri, says he owns his equipment, but in the busy fall and spring months, he will often lease a couple of extra aerators to ac- commodate additional clients. 32 TOTAL LANDSCAPE CARE / August 2012 "It's the single most valuable thing you can do for a lawn beyond mowing, watering and fertilizing." properties or expansive residential landscapes, you should opt for the stand-on option, which is faster (about 6 to 7 mph compared to the walk-behind, which runs about 2 to 3 mph) and also saves valu- able manpower. Conversely, you will want to use a smaller model to easily navigate small-gated yards. "It's as easy to operate as a lawnmower," Hawley says of an aerator. Which means you can have your staff running the equipment in a matter of hours, even if they have never used an aerator before. As with any piece of equipment, crew members should be trained on safety precautions, as well as how to operate and care for the machine properly.