Greg Peker
An Expert in Sodding, Gardening & Landscape.
Lawn aeration is the solution to greener and healthier grass. While water and fertilizer do wonders for your lawn, they won’t do any good if the soil is compact. In this blog we’ll answer all questions such as how often should you aerate your lawn? What does lawn aeration do? And more.
What Is Lawn Aeration?
Before asking “how often should you aerate your lawn?” it’s important to understand its purpose. Lawn aeration involves poking holes into the soil in order to expose grass roots and allow air, nutrients, and water to flow through. Prolonged periods of rain, drought, or heavy traffic can cause dense lawns and compact soil. Aeration techniques include piercing the top layer of soil or pulling out soil plugs from the grass. Another option is to invest in special spiked shoes designed for aerating small yards.
Benefits of Lawn Aeration
There is no shortage of aeration benefits for backyards and front yards of all shapes and sizes. Here are the top reasons to implememt this technique for your lawn.
- Removes Thatch
Thatch is a loose layer of plant materials such as roots, dead turf, and leaves, which accumulate between turf grass and soil. If thatch is more than half an inch thick, it prevents the soil from obtaining adequate nutrients, water, and air. - Fixes Patches
Excessive heat and snowy weather can leave your lawn with patches of dead, brown, or thin grass. Aeration combined with seeding can help reduce the patchy spots in your lawn. The aeration helps establish fertile soil that increases the chances of seeds taking root. - Breaks Up Compacted Soil
Soil compaction occurs from continuous weight and pressure on the soil. Compacted soil is dense, hard to dig through, and prevents healthy root establishment. Aerating your lawn breaks up compacted soil, allowing the topsoil to more effectively mix with the nutrient-rich subsoil. - Less Water Buildup
Puddles forming on your lawn can be a sign that the soil cannot absorb water properly. This increases your lawn’s vulnerability to pests and diseases. Aerating your lawn creates spaces for air and water to flow freely, leading to enhanced moisture absorption. - Provides Nutrients to Grass
Maintaining your lawn involves fertilizers and seeding. For these processes to be effective, the seeds and nutrients need to be able to reach the grass roots. Aeration leaves behind soil plugs that disburse organic matter into the soil and create openings for water, seeds, and fertilizers to reach the subsoil. - Allows Grass to Breathe
Without good airflow, carbon dioxide can get trapped in the soil and harm your grass. One of the many aeration benefits is improved air circulation. When oxygen and carbon dioxide flow in and out of the soil, it improves the overall health of the soil system. - Enhances Strength of Turf
An aerated lawn is a healthier lawn. Your grass will develop a stronger root system and gain resilience to droughts, heavy rain, and freezing. If your grass has deeper roots, it will also grow thicker and more resistant to compaction and runoff.
How Often Should You Aerate Your Lawn?
The answer to “how often should you aerate your lawn?” will depend on the type of soil. Clay and hard soil experience the most effective benefits when aerated annually. In contrast, soft soils can be aerated twice a year and sandy soils once every other year. Another factor to consider is foot traffic. Repeatedly walking or playing on a lawn can cause more thatch, which may require aerating twice a year instead of once.
Getting the Best Results from Lawn Aeration
Review the following tips to get the best result from aerating your lawn:
- Aerate Every 2-3 Years: There is no need to rush to aerate your lawn if it’s already in good condition. A healthy lawn can be maintained through aeration every two to three years.
- Aerate During High-Growth Season: The early spring and early fall are the prime times to aerate your lawn as it’s the high-growth season. By aerating in the early spring, your lawn can take advantage of the increased moisture. Aeration during the peak growing season, maximizes the chances of success for your grass’s roots.
- Moisten Your Lawn First: Lawns in need of aeration can be dry, compact, and dense. Operating an aeration machine in those conditions can be frustrating, as you’ll have to exert more force and may take longer. Hydrating your lawn beforehand moistens the soil, making it easier to push an aeration machine through.
Related Article: All About Lawn Aeration
Let’s Start Your Lawn Aeration Service
Indulge in the full effect of lawn aeration with professional services. Niko’s Gardening has a team of highly trained and experienced experts who are ready to tackle all your lawn aerating needs. Reach out to our team today for a free quote and lawn assessment.
FAQs
Yes, aerating your lawn is definitely worth it. Even the most meticulously maintained lawns can see additional results. Regardless of how often you fertilize and water your lawn, it won’t stay healthy if the soil isn’t absorbing the nutrients. Aeration supports essential insect activity as well, such as earthworms, which recycle nutrients and keep the ground healthy. Fertilization and reseeding are also enhanced when you aerate your lawn. This reduces your long-term maintenance and seeding costs.
The process of aeration itself does not eliminate weeds however, it will help to reduce future weed growth. Healthy grass can act as a natural deterrent to weeds. Without dead turf, standing water, and thatch blocking essential organisms from reaching the root system, your grass can grow thicker and stronger. Although you may not see results over night, you can count on lawn aeration to help control weeds in the long-term.
While some people choose to rake up soil plugs after aerating their lawns for aesthetic reasons. However, it’s more beneficial to let them lay. Soil plugs are rich with nutritious organic materials that help your lawn thrive. As time passes, your lawn will naturally reabsorb the plugs through watering and mowing. One circumstance where you may remove the plugs is if your lawn is susceptible to excessive thatch accumulation.
