How to Aerate Your Lawn: A Guide to Lawn Aeration

Lawn aeration is a lawn-care process that reduces soil compaction and thatch buildup (dead grass), allowing grass roots to get air, water, and nutrients. Lawn aeration is performed by two different methods: spike aeration and core aeration, also known as coring. Spike aerators poke small holes in a lawn. Core aerators, or plug aerators, remove plugs of soil from the ground and displace them on the surface of the lawn. Lawn aeration services can perform this aeration process, or you can rent or purchase a lawn aerator for home use.

Aerating is important for a healthy lawn as it reduces soil compaction and thatch buildup. Soil compaction occurs when pressure is applied to the soil surface by vehicles or heavy foot traffic, especially with heavy clay soil. Thatch is a layer of dead and living organic matter that accumulates above the soil surface. Thatch buildup that is half an inch thick can be harmful to your lawn’s root system. Aerating your lawn clears thatch and loosens soil for your root system to access air, water, and necessary nutrients.

Aerate your lawn by following these general steps.

1. 1. Research your lawn. Avoid aerating during periods of dormancy. Aerate your lawn during its peak growing season. The type of grass on your lawn dictates its growing season. For example, aerate warm-season grasses like bermudagrass and crabgrass in the late spring or early summer. By contrast, aerate cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass in the early spring or early fall.
2. 2. Mow and water your lawn. Mow your lawn before aerating because the soil plugs from aeration can damage your lawnmower. Water your lawn the day before aerating because dry soil is difficult to aerate. Prior to aerating, mark your sprinkler heads to avoid damaging them.
3. 3. Rent or purchase a lawn aerator. You can rent or purchase a lawn aerator at most garden centers and hardware stores.
4. 4. Aerate your lawn. Use the basic operating instructions that come with your lawn aerator. Typically, you’ll want to puncture holes in the soil every three inches. Similar to mowing, move back and forth across your lawn with the aerator until you cover the entire space.
5. 5. Overseed, fertilize, and water your lawn. Overseeding and fertilizing are more effective after aerating your lawn. Keep your lawn moist by watering every few days for the next two weeks after aerating.

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