Aerating your lawn is done to create air space in your soil. Additional air space allows for better water management and allows grassroots to take in nutrients easier, thus giving you a healthier more lush lawn.

In general, the greater the clay content of your soil, the greater the need to aerate. Clay soil tends to bond very tightly, causing less air space. The act of aerating breaks down those bonds.

Another consideration when deciding whether to aerate is the amount of soil compaction due to traffic. Areas with a lot of foot traffic, such as ball fields, often require more frequent aeration. New construction sites often are compacted due to trucks having driven over the ground numerous times. If your lawn has a low area that tends to hold water, that area should be aerated regularly.

I am often asked how often aeration should be done. The answer depends on the degree of compaction. The average lawn should be aerated once a year. Problem areas can be aerated more often, and as often as once every two months.

There are three basic methods of aeration: tine, core, and liquid. Tine aeration is simply poking holes in the ground with a solid spike. Tine aeration is the least desirable method and many lawn experts feel this method may actually increase compaction.

Core aeration is the actual removal of plugs of soil from the ground. The cores, about the size of your finger, break down and become a part of the soil again. Core aeration is the most used method and is effective.

The last method of aeration is liquid aeration. This method is that the least known, but in my opinion, the simplest method. Liquid aeration is accomplished by spraying a liquid solution over the bottom, then watering it in. the advantages of using this method over core aeration are many. there’s less mess, no cores within the awn. The liquid, when water in, works to a depth of up to 12″, versus 3″ for core aeration. Another benefit is that the liquid is often used everywhere, whereas the coring is restricted around sprinkler systems, tree roots, etc. the merchandise I prefer to use to try to liquid aerations is Aerify Plus.

Aeration can be done anytime the lawn is not frozen. I recommend aerating in the spring or fall so that the grass can recover.

While most homeowners have heard of lawn aeration, many are unfamiliar with its actual function. Moreover, they are uncertain of which type of lawn aerator to purchase and how often they should use it. If you want to keep your lawn healthy year-round, a lawn plug aerator is ideal.

What Is Lawn Aeration?

When the topmost portion of soil becomes compressed, the roots of the lawn do not receive proper nourishment, including oxygen and water. As a result, the grass may die. To prevent the topsoil from becoming compacted, a lawn aerator will make holes and create openings in the surface to allow for free movement of the soil. This procedure eliminates dirt ‘plugs’ and transports nutrients from the soil’s surface to the roots. By encouraging movement, the lawn remains healthy and green throughout the year.

The Benefits of Lawn Care Aeration 

By removing clumps of soil, a lawn plug aerator promotes the movement of oxygen and air to permeate the roots. Different from a punch aerator, which is supposed to punch through the soil and extract plugs of soil, or aerating shoes, which seem to drive the soil further down, a lawn plug aerator effectively eliminates plugs of soil.

Because some lawns require the additional organic substances to the soil, lawn aeration creates open space at the surface for the matter to move freely. A lawn plug aerator is ideal for a hydraulic system, as it can penetrate a much deeper layer of soil than an aerator/roller.

Hire a Professional

Some homeowners rent lawn aerators, but they are often difficult to locate and overpriced. Hiring a professional lawn care service will save you time and give you the full benefit of lawn aeration.

The Best Time – Whan you Can aerate your Lawn

The spring and fall are optimum seasons for lawn aeration. Why? Lawn aeration in the spring is ideal for applying organic substances into the soil, while lawn aeration in the fall helps to break up compacted soil from heavy use during the summer months.

Before & After

Is a lawn care specialist scheduled to aerate your lawn next week? Make sure your grass is somewhat lower than usual and water it regularly for the next two to three days; then water your lawn immediately after it’s been aerated. To optimize the structure of your soil, incorporate a blend of organic matter two days post aeration, raking it into the holes. You’ll begin to notice earthworms and insects the following suit and quickly enhancing the soil. A lawn plug aerator not only improves the quality of your lawn, but it saves you additional maintenance in the long run.