Air-8 Liquid Aeration Research Data Pt 2: Best Of Both Worlds, Mechanical and Liquid Together
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- 5:44
What happens if I do core aeration and liquid aeration together? This has been asked numerous times and we took it on as a replicated trial in our 2020 UGA research study. Mechanical core aeration was performed on Day 1 of the trial and subsoil compactions readings were taken with a soil penetrometer. The Air8 was added in on day 28 and day 56 at 6 ounces per thousand sqft. Initial compaction average readings were as follows based on 4 test plots per rep (12 plots):
7/15/2020
(A) Control - 351psi
(B) Aeration - 357psi
(C) Aeration + Air8 - 332psi (first day no air8 applied)
Readings were taken every 4 weeks beyond the day of initial application.
DAY 28 8/12/2020
(A) 441PSI
(B) 316PSI
(C) 280PSI
DAY 56 9/9/2020
(A) 446PSI
(B) 310PSI
(C) 262.5PSI
DAY 85 10/8/2020
(A) 500PSI
(B) 348PSI
(C) 270PSI
DAY 112 11/6/2020 (COMPLETION OF TRIAL)
(A) 547PSI
(B) 365PSI
(C) 277PSI
While the compaction increased in the control to well beyond starting point, environmental factors are the contributor. Less water deeper in the profile would lead to high readings. As aerators are designed to “move beyond the core” soil will fracture more deeply providing deeper relief of compaction. Core aeration begin to climb back toward its original level in the latter 1/3 of the trial and resolved with only slightly higher compaction than when initially measured. The only rep with decreased subsoil compaction at the end of the trial was the rep with Air-8 added with a final 18.5% REDUCTION in subsoil compaction.
Does liquid aeration really work?
Do I need to aerate my lawn? Has liquid aeration been studied? These are all great questions and are answered in this video. Liquid aeration has taken hold as a simple way to make major gains in your lawn game and it is here to stay. Aeration is beneficial but not all lawns need it and most don’t at all. NDSU says this “most lawns do not need it, lawns suffering from heavy foot traffic, excessive thatch above 1”, or grown on heavy soils will benefit the most.” The benefits of aeration are this: Root development Water and Nutrient flow Compaction relief and thatch reduction. When soil becomes compacted, air and water do not flow as they should and mechanical aeration has always been the answer to this issue. Carbon dioxide can build when respiration is not present and this in turn can suffocate roots. With this is mind we set out to do a true trial through University of Georgia and get some get baseline data. First of all, multiple tests on multiple plots were measured. The data was averaged out over each of the plots for the final numbers. I am mainly touching on the high points in this video as there is more to unpack and it will take subsequent videos to get all the info out. This is first year data and multi year studies are already in place to continue to view the overall result as time goes on. Liquid aeration, Air-8, mechanical aeration are all part of a great lawn care program.
Here are some of the basics on the trial: Location: Athens Turfgrass Research and Education Center, Athens, GA Materials and Methods: Research was conducted on a mature stand of 'TifTuf' hybrid bermudagrass maintained at a 0.5 inch mowing height. The soil type was a Cecil clay loam with a soil pH of 5.9. Treatments were initiation on July 15, 2020 and were applied with a CO2 backpack sprayer. Irrigated was applied weekly with an overhead irrigation system that provided 1.5 inches of water per week. Turfgrass color (scale of 1 to 9), turfgrass quality (scale of 1 to 9), NDVI, volumetric water content (% - 3 averaged readings), and surface hardness (Clegg Hammer) were recorded weekly throughout the duration of the trial. Four 1-inch wide soil cores were removed to a depth of 6 inches at trial initiation and monthly thereafter. Cores were washed of all soil and roots were dried and weighed (g) to produce one measurement per plot. Water infiltration rates were conducted at trial initiation and monthly thereafter. A 6-inch infiltration ring was inserted into the ground approximately 1-inch. Tap water (444 mls) was poured into each cylinder and a stop watch was used to determine the amount of time it took for water to completely infiltrate the soil profile. Soil penetrometer readings to measure soil compaction deep within the soil profile were conducted at trial initiation and monthly thereafter. Three readings were taken in each plot an averaged together. shop.lawncology.com
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#liquidaeration #air8 #aeration
If you haven't seen the part one video yet, please click here:
• Air 8: DOES IT WORK? L...
The two people who disliked are using Air 6. Not Air 8, that’s the problem
😂😂😂
No, they are airheads! Great information sir!
This is the kind of teaching that really got me fired up when I first met you at the Real Green conference in Florida. Love it.
also "the penetrometer" was my nickname in college
@@TheLawnCareNut 😂😂
@@TheLawnCareNut I thought it was "Mechanical & Liquid Together" ?
Seems like a lifetime ago. A day that will
Live in infamy
Oh man! Combination solutions! Hehe.
Just watched both your videos, excellently done. 4 the last 2 years have done mechanical with scarifier on Kentucky Bluegrass and Liquid aeration and great improvement of lawn health
I have probably already said this but this is the second time through this video. You give excellent proof and really logical proof. Thank you very much for providing your both entertaining but mostly educational videos. I really do appreciate them. Unfortunately I am watching them many months and maybe even years after you have posted them. I will eventually get caught up and watch your most current videos. All I can say is you are providing a great service to people like me and I believe I am not alone in that observation. Keep it up! Thank you again for all you do. I know it is a lot of work and I know that it is not always appreciated as much as I do.
So good ! Nicely done.
Numbers don’t lie and the results speak for themselves.
The M + the A...sprinkle in some RGS and H12 = diverse healthy food soil web with robust microbial activity...now that be Domination!👏👏🤣👍...thanks John!... respect 👊
Grace and Peace sir, I would have benefited from testing just using your liquid Air-8. I have a 600sq ft lawn and will never rent a mechanical aerator. I use your your soil compaction cure combination, Air-8 & RGS. But the video was a great watch and learned something.
Up until about 3 years ago I used synthetic, granular fertilizer program, you know the brand. I noticed that I didn't have many worms in my soil when I did soil samples the past couple years. AND, the last time I used that company's "summer fertilizer", I had two dead snakes on my concrete driveway the day after I applied it. I made a change to John's products and the difference is amazing in my soil and the worms in my soil! AND no dead snakes!! Amazing products!!
That’s fantastic.
To be fair, the only good snake is a dead snake.
I have compacted clay under my Fescue and it's so bad compacted my water just stands on top of my grass. That's even with mechanical aeration. I've just started using Greene county fertilizer products and I'm excited to see how these help! Thanks for all the videos they have taught me a lot!
Chrishart8887: Did the Greene county products actually help you with your compacted clay under your Fescue? If not, do you still have the problem, or did something else cure your issue?
@@mrficxit1785 my fix was I used humic and didn’t dilute it sprayed it on then watered in with sprinklers I used 1 gallon per 2k sqft along with mechanical aeration and it worked perfectly. I came up with this idea with help from Jeremy at the greener lawn.
So looking forward to this...👍🏻
I would like to know how this product works on a sloped lawn.
I had major compaction issues. Everything changed for the better after my first bio stimulant pack. A few months later the rock solid soil wasn’t rock solid anymore. No mechanical aeration was used.
Awesome. That’s the result I’d expect
I really appreciate you taking the time to do studies. This is awesome stuff, John! Did you do a Air8 only plot? Would be curious to see what the result would be.
Exactly. An Air8-only plot is conspicuously absent. This product is talked about so frequently as a substitute for mechanical aeration, this “study” can’t help but seem incomplete without an Air8-only plot.
Why would you not include the Air-8 alone. I use your products but this doesn't do any good when the discussions are mechanical vs liquid? And you have NO liquid only plot.
I agree. Is there a reason a standalone Air-8 plot was not used? This product is used by those who typically do not mechanically aerate and is sold as such. Can you comment on this John? Thanks!
@@williamjonson6845 video 1 explains all the tests.... there is a liquid only plot. I believe this video was discussing the results of the mech vs liq/mech processes. Maybe video 3 will iron out some of the other test results.
@@jeffluethge I watched the first video and it didn't mention anything of the results, it simply talked about what was to come. I'll rewatch it but I'm pretty sure it went, we have some big news, then video to introduce news, then this one🤔
Great results! Last September I mechanically aerated and then put down label rates on Air8, Humic12, and RGS. So thankfully I received the benefit of these studies but solely because I like to spoon feed biostims monthly and just happened to do all of the work on the same day. Talk about luck! Oh, and Large Tip was my nickname in college.
What this also teaches is we maybe should aerate and air 8 in the spring just before the second app of prodiamine to keep the soil healthy all summer until the fall
That’s a great takeaway. My point in this was to show limitations and benefits and where there’s opportunity for improvement.
Great study JP. It most definitely works In my lawn soil. Thanks
All I know is that ever since I’ve been using Air-8 along with H-12 to wake up my lawn in the spring it’s been the best thing for it , these little spoon feeds go a very long way and them some .
Yes they do
Watched part 1 and 2. Curious if you are going to share compaction (in psi) for mechanical vs Air8 alone (without the mechanical). As always, love your channel and the science of lawn care.
Seen about a dozen of nightcrawlers per square yard on my lawn tonight. Looked like a worm orgy going on. 2 weeks after air8 and RGS application. don't think ill need any mechanical aeration this year. got pics to prove it.
So the question becomes, is it best to use Air8 to supplement mechanical for sustained improvement/performance or can it actually eliminate mechanical over the long term? More directly, over time, can you phase out the mechanical once the deep roots are established or would it be best practice to continue to do mechanical once per year combined with multiple annual apps of Air8? If you eventually stop mechanical will the Air8 alone sustain the progress made on the reduced compaction beyond the 2" depth?
Interesting stats, John. Thanks for sharing. To carry part of this test further I would wonder how is your soil compaction affected if using Air-8 only for each year (recommended apps per year) for five years or ten years. How much does the soil compaction improve each year with continued use? Also, how quickly does the soil return to normal if the Air-8 apps were stopped after those time periods? I know you have not had enough time to conduct these tests, but that info would be good selling points. Spraying your lawn versus fighting a mechanical aerator is a no brainer.
I really plan on my small lawn and DYI abilities to do both mechanical and liquid aeration. Part of the reason for my wanting to do the mechanical aeration is that I want to not just remove compaction but also to help level out although not completely My lawn. I have a few humps that I would like to lower in order to keep the runoff from leaving my lawn. Of course when it runs off it also takes a bit of soil with it. Am I thinking correctly?
Penetrometer was my nickname back in college! (stealing Allyn's thunder here!) 🤣😂😁
Will Air8 work on rocks? Cause I see a lot of hardheaded folks trying to argue the facts.
😂😂😂
Why did you wait till day 28 to apply the Air8? I would think you would have a greater impact applying this at the same time as the mechanical aeration as the liquid solution would penetrate deeper into the soil.
It was applied 4x. Day 1 and then 4 week intervals.
So I followed along the first video which was great very great amount of information. I’m not super familiar and have zero experience using the air8 product. I do hear LCN talk about it a lot! Well I watch the second video, and your test was focused on compaction I’m guessing your next videos will also elaborate more, but what about overall root growth and grass height? (with less compact soil I assume the grass grew better in turn causing more mowing) again I’m sure you will elaborate on this more and I am new to this process. Thanks again great videos.
Good theory. However, the impact on top growth would be more related to feeding than anything. The plot with fertilizer applied did better in the look and growth, but perhaps performed the same in other categories. Meaning the root impact combined with the air8 was similar to the air8 alone.
@@Lawncology makes sense. Thanks you
As an geek engineer I really enjoy your videos! As a DIYer how do I apply Air8 at a 6 oz rate?
Easy to apply. 6 ounces in a gallon of water, backpack sprayer or hose end sprayer
Excellent explanation of what is going on. This will be my 1st full season using your products, I started late summer and this spring green up has been the best I've seen on my property.
I used to really have to force those sprinklers into the soil the last couple inches but now there's no problem getting them fully seated.
I would like to have a soil analysis's done, where would you recommend to get a very detailed test done?
Thanks again, looking forward to all the content this year.
Spectrum analytic t3 test is the most full but the t2 is more than adequate
Numbers don’t lie, I am looking forward to the 🎤 drop. 🌴😎
This info was pretty cool to see. I’m glad we did this repetition
"Urban farmers tending to our soil "I love it!
Did you measure the compaction with just Air8. I would like to see the difference between the control group and Air8. The exclusion of Air8 on its own seems misleading
Yes. And sun soil was not impacted with the liquid beyond the distance that the product reached. The penetrometer is measuring a depth that liquid won’t get to on its own. The aerator with 4” core has more impact on subsoil that Air8 does
I agree, the whole point of using Air-8 for me is not have to go rent a mechanical device even though both in conjunction would be the best.
Even if the values are small, I'm very curious as to what the Aiir-8 will do by itself.
I will say without a doubt, the Virginia clay at my place can almost seem petrified, but using Air-8 since last June, my soil has made a tremendous improvement.
I can get into that on a live show. The fluctuation is all over the place but it tracked similar to the control in the sub soil. Often times these are depths beyond the root growth of the turf
Here’s some numbers:
Initial control reading on day 1 of application:
Control 351.5
Air8 306.25
Completion of trial:
Control 557.5
Air8 487.5
Where can we read the actual study
Thank you for your videos very educating. Keep them coming..👍
I’m wondering why you did not have a test group of just Air-8 by it’s self. Seems logical that you would test Air-8 by it’s self, instead of combining it with the physical Aeration.
Um…. We did? This is the second video about the best of both worlds
Was the plugs collected in the plots? What would happen if the plugs were collected vs not, and see what happens after the time allotted. Or, what if it was top dressed with sand or compost then sprayed with Air-8?
Sorry Mr perry I missed live video, here now lol that whole work thing u know!
Stupid work always gets in the way
Love it! I would like to know your opinion about using liquids, instead of granulated lime to raise ph, and does any of Green Co. Fert help in that way? I am in Southern Maryland with clay sandy mixed soil with a ph of 5.7 before adding lime during overseed this past fall at 35 lbs. Per thousand. Most of my yard is on a hill. Thank you for your time.
Great video! Thanks for the info -- fascinating for sure. I am very interested in completely redoing my turf management program for our clients. We strive to be the best in what we do and these products apparently are what we have been missing.
Feel free to reach out, answers@lawncology.com
So ... this means that doing manual and liquid aeration together in the spring is a good idea?
This is interesting stuff. Why was an air8 only plot not done as well?
It was. This video is about the combination. The next one will have that data
@@Lawncology that's going to be dope
@@Lawncology I been using aerate for a little more than a year now. I’m trusting the product to do what it’s listed to do. I have Saint Augustine and never aerated in the 10 years Ive owned my home. Atm, my lawn is the best it has ever looked. I will say using N-EXT products along with some granular fertilizer that Allyn sells has done my yard wonders.
Can’t wait to see the next video. I’m actually starting to spray Air8 in a few areas I never have before. The soil is super hard and holds so much water. I’m hoping Air8 can help correct these areas.
Is air8 safe for wildlife? Can't find any info on this anywhere!!
Good info Jp, some, myself included, wondering the cec of the soil? Georgia clay?
Cecil clay loam with a pH of 5.9
Liking your new intro
Thank you so much
Hallo, can you please show german subtitles? Thx 👍
JP: In the upcoming Air8-only results, was there another test that involved a different amount of applied product? I'd be really interested to see the difference between the recommended low/high rates of 6oz and 9oz.
John, Did you apply water to the manual plot in the amount that would be needed to water in the AIR 8?
All plots received the same water
I need to add something here, the app rate was 1 gallon per thousand of water. The plots were very small, 6x6 roughly or 36sqft. So the plot received 0.036 gallons more water than the irrigation provided on two occasions or roughly 4 ounces more water.
What would the shelf life of air8 be if kept in an unheated shed over the winter in New York?
My back lawn is so compacted that mechanical aeration struggles to get plugs more than an inch or so. Planning on using Air8 first, then mechanical a week or so later. Thoughts?
smham33: Did you have any success with the Air8 products?
My question is when did the aeration take place, spring or fall. I am presuming spring. My second question is how would the results differ if the aeration was done in the other season. (Fall)
The dates are in the description. I’m sure an aeration in the fall would yield a similar result over time. This video is showing how you can combine the two for greater compaction relief
Great info thanks for sharing 👍
I use all the N-ext liquids as supplements to my granuals. How often can I use Air8 and the other liquids? Thanks!
You can rotate them monthly
How many times per year do you recommend the use of Air-8 and during which months? KBG lawn in Massachusetts. Thanks!
Apps run between 2 and 4 times per year depending on rate. They can be run anytime, but watering in is important
Can we draw any cause and effect from these tests? I know you mentioned that the test showed the soil was softer and help more water. Is it safe to assume the additional water led to softer soil, which then led to more root mass/depth? Am I reading too much into the results as presented?
Interestingly enough the soil didn’t hold near as much water when combined. Root mass pretty much was a balance. You’ll see that in part 2
The pH of my soil is 7.9. Do all GCF products have KOH? Should that be a concern or not?
You should use elemental sulfur to drop that. And no, KOH is not in everything and typically by the time it’s in the soil, the pH is neutralized. The pH of the congregate is high but the volume when mixed is negligible. Most irrigation water is higher pH.
@@Lawncology Added 5lbs of elemental sulfur per 1,000 last year and was able to drop it from 7.9 to 7.7. I love all GCF but didn’t want to add to my problem of high pH. I will continue to add elemental sulfur. I will continue to purchase GCF as your company is different than all others. I know answering everyone’s questions must take a ton of time but the access to your team is unmatched by any other fertilizer company.
Breaking out the penotrometer niiice.
Can you reseed and use liquid aeration at the same time or do you have to wait a certain amount of time?
You can seed and use with no trouble.
The data doesn’t lie!
Was a digital soil penetrometer used? Reading the scale on the one in the video looks very subjective with the large increments between numbers.
Yes it was. That was just a visual example taken from another video
@@Lawncology I figured that would have to be the case. 👍🏼
I poached it from an ag video 😂
Amazing results.... cant wait to see how the naysayers respond to this!
whelp, I keep threatening that I'm gonna rent one of those core aerators; seems if I do, to make it last awhile, I should also take the easier extra step to spray down some Air8 ....say $100 to rent an physical core aerator plus $45 for a number of apps of liquid Air8, would likely surpass the performance of spending the money to always have to keep renting the machine multi times every year - oh and massively cut the labor of course(and not disturb the look and growth of the lawn), which would be a huge factor to make Air8 worthwhile
Can you put to much down? Throughout the year?
You would hit a point of diminishing returns for sure. It seems that app spacing and application between 2 and 4 times a year at 6 ounce rate is ideal, but we haven’t included the high rate on a repetition on this study.
Looked like the LCNs hand when showing the core aeration. Was this done in Indiana? Looking forward to part 3!
Yes. Scary you know his hand...
@@Lawncology hard not to notice when I’ve been watching his videos for 5 plus years...and considering how much he uses his hands in his videos... 🤣
@@robwright3064 😂😂
Maybe this will be a new offer for some of my yards.
Reach out. We can get you material professionally.
ok...but how do the lawns look?
Depends on the fertilizer program!
Did you mechanically aerate every time you put down an app of air8 or just once in the beginning on the trail?
Only the beginning in both of those reps
regarding mechanical aeration, was this done once? What time of year?
answered my own question, just had to look at your notes :)
Okay good. Yes once on all plots
So the moral of the story is if you want to get your soil right, do it before you plant your yard! Otherwise you just chase your tail! This is very interesting though. I love science experiments 😉
Ay mate, what time is the pregame chat? Cheers
"Proof is in the pudding" some old guy like me. 😂
First Aussie 😁. Here for my daily Lawn Therapy fix.
An Air8-only plot is conspicuously absent. This product is talked about so frequently as a substitute for mechanical aeration, this study can’t help but seem incomplete without an Air8-only plot.
Watch the first video. The plot is not absent. For this video it wasn’t about the air8 by itself, it was combining the two to show deeper subsoil efficacy when combined
@@Lawncology I get that it wasn’t covered in this video. But that’s precisely my point. If you’re trying to study the effects of Air8 and honestly educate consumers about it, then I think an Air8-only plot is necessary. Whether you intended them to or not, your distribution and marketing partners (Allyn in particular) have pushed it heavily as an ALTERNATIVE to mechanical aeration. It’s a good product, but I think the marketing has made folks skeptical of its true performance, and this video doesn’t show evidence for whether Air8-only relieves soil compaction.
@@sbernhard83 again, did you watch part 1?
@@sbernhard83 the reason I ask is that the air8 has a limitation of how far it can travel through the soil when compared to mechanical. The impacts of aerate were in the top 2” of the soil as stated in this video. These measurements in this video are beyond the reach of the liquid and required having the material be applied to the aeration event to see subsoil impacts. Here’s where the compaction numbers on air8 only vs control ended:
Control 557.5
Air8 487.5
Mechanical 365
Air8 and mechanical combo: 280
So, the most dramatic change was the combo, the air8 alone when compared to control had a difference of 12.5% +\~
Aeration had an impact of 35% +\~
Combo impact 50% +\~
@@Lawncology I should have stated before, yes, I watched part 1. I think it provided good evidence for Air8 acting as a wetting agent to carry water and nutrients deeper in the soil, to the benefit of root growth, which is fantastic. But the 4% reduction in surface tension seems pretty close to margin of error to me. Considering the benefits to root growth you’ve shown evidence of, I’m probably being too picky about the marketing of it as an alternative to aeration. But I think it would have been more transparent to market it as “Air8 acts as a wetting agent -> water goes deeper-> nutrients go deeper -> roots grow better and deeper -> deep, healthy plant roots break up soil compaction over time.”
Rumor has it you get TH-cam $ when anyone comments? Does this comment count?
Tick tock tick tock!
mattt from the grass factor sez everything you say is a lie!
Well, I guess then I should keep providing independent research, real field data, actual visual representations of product and results and let others have their opinions. At the end of the day, facts don’t care about opinions.
You realize he's just relaying information from a university study right?
And as a rebuttal, I present my lawn. 👋🏼 viola!
You should have seen it just one year earlier...
All thanks to LCN, Matt Martín, and of course, the fantastic people over at Greene County Fert., especially one John Perry.
You mean the same guy that publicly promoted and raved about this product? 🤔
Well he did say air 8 was a quality surfactant. The one question I had after watching both, the last video stated water flows thru much better after aeration and liquid. Grass Factor said the same thing, but believed there is no benefit to that fact since it didn’t help density. So is there a benefit to flow? As far as the control, did you use any products (non aeration related)? I know we all use many products/ferts so it’s hard to tell exactly what made a difference. I wish I had enough land to do my normal program on most of the lawn, then have a mechanical aerate and fert only section, and a liquid aeration and fert only section.