When to Aerate a Lawn

As spring rolls in, a tried-and-true method to jump-start a healthy lawn is to aerate and over-seed the yard. Aeration fights thatch and soil compaction. Over time, built-up thatch and tightly packed soil can choke off nutrients from the grass. More than 3/4 inch of accumulated thatch can lead to lawn disease, insect infestation and ultimately drought. Soil compaction, due to traffic, rain and erosion, can do the same. An aerator is a machine that minimizes compaction by thinning the tightly packed soil while also removing built-up thatch.

In lawn maintenance, aerating literally means “to supply with air," allowing air, water, and nutrients to enter the soil and nourish the lawn.

Aeration should be done after the lawn has been mowed down to about 2 inches high. The most effective type of aerator is a “core” aerator, which uses hollow tines to remove “cores” or plugs of soil, leaving them laying on the lawn’s surface to return nutrients to the grass as they dissolve. Many homeowner-type aerators use spikes that simply poke holes in the soil, but these types aren’t quite as efficient. Available at rental outlets, aerators are available as walk-behind or ride-on gas models, while other versions can be towed as an attachment behind a lawn tractor.

Agri-Fab 45-0299 48" Tow Behind Lawn Plug Aerator with Universal Hitch; Designed to Pull Behind Lawn & Garden Tractors

Keep in mind that core aeration should only be done to correct problems of soil compaction and thatch buildup. It’s a great way to revive an unkempt lawn early in the season, prior to fertilizing, but shouldn’t be a part of routine maintenance.