How to Keep Turf in Good Shape Through the Winter

Why Autumn Maintenance Starts with Aeration

Rammingen near Ulm, August 25, 2026

As the growing season begins to wind down, an important maintenance phase starts for sports turf and other green spaces. The autumn months provide favourable conditions for relieving compaction, improving the soil’s air and water balance and thereby creating the right conditions for healthy turf growth the following spring. Wiedenmann has designed its new Terra Core 8 aerator, which will be a highlight at the upcoming GaLaBau trade fair, specifically for this type of application.

Well-maintained turf does not simply go into winter dormancy. Although visible growth declines significantly as temperatures fall, important processes continue to take place in the soil. For those responsible for sports fields, golf courses and high-quality green spaces, the question in autumn is therefore how to get the turf through the cold and wet season in the best possible condition.

A key measure is aeration. It is designed to break up compaction in the upper soil layer and improve the exchange of air and water. At the same time, openings are created in the turf through which materials such as sand can be introduced. This supports soil structure and creates better conditions for root growth.

Focus on the Upper Soil Layer

Not every instance of compaction requires deep soil loosening. Particularly on intensively used turf areas, it can make sense to specifically treat the upper few centimetres of the turf. This is where compaction frequently occurs as a result of use, maintenance work and weather conditions, potentially impairing the soil’s air and water balance.

Wiedenmann has developed the Terra Core 8 specifically for this area of application. The tractor-mounted implement with a rear three-point linkage has a working width of 195 centimetres and allows working depths between 40 and 100 millimetres. The depth can be adjusted in small increments, allowing the treatment to be adapted to the prevailing soil conditions. For autumn maintenance, the combination of a defined working depth and high work rate is particularly interesting. With a square hole pattern of 61 x 61 millimetres, the Terra Core 8 achieves, according to the manufacturer, up to 4,282 square metres per hour at 2.2 km/h and 540 rpm at the PTO. This produces 269 holes per square metre. However, up to 816 holes per square metre are possible.

Water and Air in the Soil

The aim of aeration is not simply to create as many holes in the turf as possible. What matters is what happens in the soil as a result. The openings can improve gas exchange and support water movement. At the same time, when the appropriate working method and hollow tines are used, soil cores can be removed and sand subsequently introduced into the resulting openings. This allows the measure to be integrated into a more comprehensive turf maintenance programme.

Especially on sports fields and golf courses, where the resilience and regenerative capacity of the turf are key factors, targeted treatment of the upper soil layer can therefore represent an important element of the maintenance strategy.

No One-Size-Fits-All Programme

How intensively and at what depth aeration should be carried out cannot be answered in general terms. Soil type, degree of compaction, usage and the condition of the turf determine which measure is appropriate. It is therefore important to have technology that can be adapted to different conditions.

The Terra Core 8 offers various tine options for this purpose. Solid and hollow tines in different diameters enable different applications. Interchangeable tine carriers also make it easier to adapt the machine. The integrated Vibra-Stop system is designed to keep vibrations away from the carrier vehicle and operator.

Another design feature is the off-centre positioning of the gearbox. This allows the implement to be mounted offset. Even with wider tractors, this makes it possible to achieve one-sided track overlap. In practical terms, this provides additional flexibility when working on different areas.

Preparing for the Next Season

Aeration does not replace comprehensive turf maintenance. Rather, it is one measure within a maintenance programme that may also include mowing, fertilising, scarifying, topdressing and other operations, depending on the area.

This is precisely why autumn is worth considering. As the intensive playing season comes to an end on many areas, a window opens for regeneration measures. Operations that are only possible to a limited extent during the main usage period can now be carried out in a targeted manner.

The aim is not to change the visual appearance of the turf in the short term, but to improve conditions in the root zone for the next growing phase.

(2) Download:
This PR complete with photos
https://www.pressways.de/service/wiedenmann26tc8herbst.zip

https://www.pressways.de/service/wiedenmann26tc8herbst1.jpg
Caption: New Terra Core 8 aerator from Wiedenmann: Anyone wanting to ensure turf areas make it safely through autumn and winter should not wait until spring to consider their condition (Photo: Wiedenmann).

https://www.pressways.de/service/wiedenmann26tc8herbst2.jpg
Caption: Up to 816 holes per square metre are possible with solid or hollow spoons up to 20 mm in diameter. Wiedenmann will present the new super aerator for carrier vehicles from 30 hp at GaLaBau 2026 (Photo: Wiedenmann).

(3) Contact:

Editorial contact and complimentary copy
Press Office Wiedenmann
Mr Björn Hoffmann
Phone: +49 (0)521 – 260 2513
Email: wiedenmann@pressways.de
Pressways PR, Ecos Office Center
Herforder Str. 69, 33602 Bielefeld

At the company
Ms Verena Schäch
Wiedenmann GmbH
89192 Rammingen
Phone: +49 7345 953 271
Website: www.wiedenmann.com