If you’re like most homeowners, you may not realize when to aerate a lawn or How to use a Lawn aerator. You may also be wondering how much it costs to aerate your lawn, or are looking for Lawn aeration tips.
Today we’ll help you answer all those Lawn Aerator questions (and then some) in our Lawn Aeration Guide below.
Annual Lawn aeration is one of the best ways to achieve a healthy lawn. In addition, if your lawn has too many solid particles or heavy compaction at the surface, the roots will not be able to receive the nutrition they need.
These conditions will prevent the roots from growing deep healthy roots, or provide the lush thick lawn you’re hoping to achieve.
Follow these steps to learn How to Aerate a lawn, and your grassroots will grow easier and deeper into your soil. The result you will achieve is a lawn looking that is much thicker, greener, and healthier than what was possible without lawn aeration.
What is a Lawn Aerator?
A lawn aerator is a piece of equipment that makes aerating your lawn easier and far more effective when performing your own DIY lawn aerator work. Lawn aerators can be purchased as manual or power equipment options (see types below).
What is Lawn Aeration?
Lawn Aeration involves using a mechanical Lawn Aerator – to perforate your lawn with small holes. The perforation of your soil provides the necessary oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass and move the nutrients freely throughout the soil.
What are Different Types of Lawn Aerators?
Pull-Behind (riding mower) – Core-plug Aerators like the Agri-Fab
Pull-Behind (riding mower) – Motorized Spike Aerators like the Craftsman
Electric Motorized “Dethatchers” such as this one from Greenworks
Inexpensive Manual plug aeration tools like the Yard Barber
Aeration Shoes – Like this model from Punchau
Manual rolling drums with spikes (the drum is filled with water for weight) for Yard Tuff SE
Liquid Aeration – This is one you’ve probably never heard of – Liquid Aeration
Whatever Lawn Aerator you choose should depend on the size of your lawn – and your budget 🙂
In the end, they all serve a similar function – which is to loosen up soil and dirt so the roots of the grass can absorb more air, water, and nutrients.
How To Aerate Your Lawn (3 Steps):
Step 1) Prepare Lawn for Aeration
So how do you aerate your lawn? Before you can aerate your lawn, you must do some simple preparations. Go out into your lawn and see how dry your soil is. Aerating “dry soil” can be a troublesome task, and it is certainly not optimal if you wish to aerate your lawn properly.
It’s recommended to aerate your lawn the day after it rains, or if you can’t wait for the rain, simply water your lawn the day before and let the water saturate the soil.
Mowing your lawn before aerating also helps the process. The grass height being shorter makes it easier for you to see your progress and clean up the lawn after the aeration is done.
Step 2) Select the Best Aeration “Method”:
There are three different methods for aerating lawns: Plug aeration, Spike aeration, and Liquid aeration. Select the method that is best for your lawn size and your budget.
1) Plug Aeration
Plug aeration involves the process of making a fairly large hole around 1/2-3/4 inches in diameter and up to 6 inches deep. This will remove part of the soil from the roots and is known to improve the overall structure of your soil more than spike aeration.
Plug aeration is ideal if you’re only aerating once a year. One of the downsides to this type of aeration is that if you are not using a high-powered automatic plug aeration device, it is a reasonably labor-intensive job. But worth it.
2) Spike Aeration
Spike aeration punches small holes into the lawn, approximately 1-2 inches deep. The advantage of spike aeration for your grass is that it is not as labor-intensive as the plug aeration method.
Spike aeration can be done by using manual spike tools or by pulling a spike roller behind a riding lawn mower.
Because spike holes are generally not as big or as deep as plug aerators holes, your grass will be less impacted and can heal and recover quicker than plug aeration.
The disadvantage of spike aeration is that it is a short-term solution, and your soil will likely become compacted again in as little as 4-5 months.
3). Liquid Aeration
The third type of lawn aeration, which is relatively new, is called Liquid Aeration. Using the Liquid Aeration method, you apply a chemical treatment to the lawn.
What is the chemical used for Liquid aeration? The chemical process for liquid aeration involves using two 100% organic compounds, which are applied to the lawn.
The first product in Lawn aeration components is a wetting agent from a South American plant extract that helps water penetrate hard clay soils. The second compound is a microbial package used to eat away at the thatch layer of your lawn.
The liquid method has not been tested as much as the other two aeration methods, but it has been proven to improve water retention more than before this treatment.
Liquid aeration will add helpful substances to your lawn that are entirely safe for use around small children, pets, and other animals.
Do you have birds eating your grass seed? Read our article on how to deter birds from eating your grass, and make it look its best!
Step 3) Select “Type” of Lawn Aeration Equipment:
The Three Types of Lawn Aerators: Manual Aerators, Lawn Aerator Shoes, and Machine Equipment Aerators.
1) Manual Lawn Aerators
Manual aerators are aerators with sharp protrusions that you use manually (by hand) to push or poke holes into the lawn.
This can be something straightforward like a pitchfork or a manual aeration tool like the one shown above. Manual aeration is practical for small grass areas, where you can move around the lawn, punching holes into problem areas where the soil needs aeration.
A more recent manual lawn aeration tool is the Agri-Fab spike roller. With this tool, you Roll the lawn while the spikes punch holes into the turf. The spiked roller is 16″ wide and punches 2 1/2″ holes into the turf for an effective and quicker means of aerating large areas of lawn.
Another popular tool for manual aeration is the Lawn aeration tool from “Yard Butler.” This turf plug core device has a handle like a pitchfork that allows you to aerate a small section of lawn that needs attention.
You stand on the tool, like a shovel, and lift turf plugs out of the lawn, to provide much-needed oxygen, water, and nutrients to the soil.
This is a much faster and more effective method of aerating your lawn than a pitchfork, which pokes holes in the turf.
2) Lawn Aerator Shoes
Lawn aerator shoes are exactly what they sound like. They are shoes that help aerate your lawn as you walk on top of it. These spiked shoe adapters have metal spikes on the bottoms that can range between 1-2 inches in length.
Lawn aerator shoes are desirable for those who own and wish to aerate a small lawn but are not ideal for those with medium or large lawns.
Here’s a good tip or method for using this method. When you are mowing your lawn, you can mow the lawn while wearing these shoes. Double tasking.
We rate this method as an excellent economical choice for smaller lawns but one of the least effective means for thorough or lasting lawn aeration.
3) Machine Lawn Aerators
The last type of aeration is considered the best means for lawn aeration. With machine aeration, you will need powered equipment to achieve it, generally by the use of a riding mower.
Machine aeration makes the aeration process simpler and quicker. The machine lawn aerators are sold in both spike and plug aeration versions.
Whichever type of lawn aeration you choose, you will have an easy time gliding over your lawn.
It is always advised with any aeration – to aerate your lawn with moist soil, but with a half-good lawn aerator machine, you won’t need to be quite as concerned with having the soil fully moist.
The machines are easy to use and will involve you walking over the lawn in a straight line. Even with a machine, you may need to pass over some areas of the lawn more than once.
Lawn Treatment after Lawn Aeration (Tips)
If you have a mulching lawnmower, we recommend leaving the aerated spikes or plugs on the lawn when completed and “mowing” the debris as you mow the lawn, sending valuable mulch back into the soil.
If you have areas of the lawn that have gone patchy or even bald, reseeding the lawn after aeration is a perfect time. You should immediately seed your lawn after aerating it, and you should notice that the grass in these areas will grow greener and faster than it usually does.
Finally, we suggest adding a seasonal (Spring or Fall) fertilizer to the turf after aerating the lawn. This will easily penetrate the lawn down to the root level at the opportune time.
Basic Lawn “Core Aeration” Demonstration Video
(FAQ) How To Use a Lawn Aerator:
How can I tell my Lawn needs to be Aerated?
This can depend on a lot of factors. The first one is how much activity your lawn gets. Are you and other people such as family members, neighbors, or friends constantly using the lawn?
Do you have any pets or animals that enjoy the lawn? For heavy traffic lawns or yards with lots of clay.
If your soil is compact like clay or overly dry, your lawn is the perfect candidate for aeration. If your grass is not growing as full and green as it has in the past, this could be an early sign that it’s in desperate need of aeration. Aeration is also great for building turf, which in turn keepsweeds from taking over.
What is the best time of year to aerate a lawn?
The optimal time to aerate your lawn will be whatever time of year that most things are able to grow and rebuild. Aeration can damage the roots of the grass and the grass needs to be at the right time of year to be able to recover and grow back properly.
This can depend on your location, but any time in the Early spring or the Early fall is the optimal time for lawn aeration. Aerating in the colder months or the heat of the summer is not advised, as it is hard for the grass to heal and recover in these weather conditions.
Most fruit and vegetables will not grow in the winter. Likewise, it is harder for grass to combat these weather conditions, and it is certainly not ideal for aerating.
How can you tell if your lawnmower spark plug is bad? Read our article here on how to tell and where to replace them!
Conclusion
You will need to decide what type of aeration is right for your lawn and lifestyle as everyone’s lawn and lifestyle are different. What type of aerating device is right for you can depend on how much labor and time you would like to spend aerating your lawn and how much money you would like to spend on an aerating tool.
The size of your lawn will also be a huge factor in what type of aeration is practical. If you have a very large lawn, aeration by pitchfork is not practical at all and could take you more than a day to properly aerate it!
The time of year and weather conditions should also be taken into consideration. You wouldn’t want to aerate your lawn at a sub-optimal time of year and have your aeration process not so much benefit your hard work outside!
If the weather is very hot outside, you might aerate your lawn once and think, I’m never going to do that again! If you find aerating your lawn too labor-intensive, you might also get discouraged from aerating the lawn again.
You should also decide and know if your lawn truly needs to be aerated or not. Chances are if you are reading about aeration, there is a good chance your lawn is in desperate need of aeration! But if your grass is full, thick, and green, you can probably wait some time until you will need to aerate it.
Consistent mowing and watering of your lawn can be just as important as aerating and can make or break having your lawn look fresh, lush, and green!
Additional Reading & References:
- Proper Aeration of Turf Grass – PennStateUniverity.edu
- Improving Soil Conditions – MichiganStateUniversity.edu
- Check out why you should aerate your dry lawn here- Gardenersworld.com
- The Best Cordless Leaf Blower and String Trimmer Combo Kits – BestHomeGear.com
Related
FAQs
How To Use A Lawn Aerator - Best Home Gear? ›
The most effective way to aerate a lawn of any real size involves a machine with hollow coring tines. This type of aerator punches holes and removes soil cores from the ground. Spike aerators and those with slicing knife blades, such as the Craftsman Tow Spike Aerator, are less effective.
What is the most effective way to aerate lawn? ›The most effective way to aerate a lawn of any real size involves a machine with hollow coring tines. This type of aerator punches holes and removes soil cores from the ground. Spike aerators and those with slicing knife blades, such as the Craftsman Tow Spike Aerator, are less effective.
How many times should you go over your lawn with an aerator? ›How Frequently Should You Aerate Your Lawn? As for frequency, Friell said aeration should be performed at least once per year on most lawns. Lawns with compacted soil or soil with high clay content may benefit from aeration twice annually.
Do you want to aerate wet or dry lawn? ›If the soil is wet, you won't want to aerate it, as it can get quite muddy. However, you also want to make sure the soil isn't too dry either. It is typically suggested that you water a dry lawn between two days before and the evening before you aerate to ensure that the soil isn't rock hard.
Should you cut grass before aerating? ›Before you aerate, mow your lawn low (Timberline lawn experts recommend setting your mower to about 1.5-2 inches above the ground to maximize the effectiveness of aerating, being sure to not scalp the crown of the grass.) You will want to water one to three days before aerating.
How soon after aeration should I mow? ›Mowing your lawn after aeration is essential to remove the excess grass clippings and debris, however, you don't want to mow too soon. It is recommended to wait about 2-4 weeks to mow your lawn after aerating and overseeding.
Is too much aeration bad for lawn? ›Yes. You can over-aerate. Over-aerating your lawn can stress out your lawn and leave you with uneven soil. Even though it can be damaging to over aerate your lawn, it is actually quite difficult to aerate too much.
Which is better a spike or plug aerator? ›Plug aerators are usually more effective at relieving compaction in lawns with a heavy clay soil since the solid tines used on spike aerators compact the clay soil further when they push into the ground.
What can I do instead of aerating? ›Verticutting and power raking are words that are sometimes used interchangeably for doing the same thing. Verticutting is done by a machine that cuts thin rows into your grass rather than removing plugs, like aeration. Verticutters loosen the topsoil so that seed will have better contact with the soil for germination.
How deep should I set my aerator? ›Aeration holes are typically 1-6 inches deep and 2-6 inches apart. Other types of aerators push solid spikes or tines into the soil without removing a plug (spiking).
Do home lawn aerators work? ›
Aeration loosens soil, improves drainage, prevents thatch buildup, and helps roots get the food they need to grow long and strong. Unless your soil is sandy and drainage is not a problem, it's a good idea to consider aerating.
Is a manual aerator worth it? ›These manual tools can be effective, but it takes some effort to punch enough holes to make a difference. They work great for aerating small targeted areas that need special attention, like heavily-used footpaths, around patios, near outdoor steps and house corners. They're not intended for your entire lawn.
Should I water right after aerating? ›Immediately following an aeration service, begin watering the new grass seed. The seedbed must be kept damp for a continuous period of 28 days (the time it takes for the seed to germinate fully). Do not drown the seed when watering, but moderately dampen the first several inches of the soil.
Should I pick up plugs after aerating? ›As we've established, don't remove aeration plugs. It takes approximately one to two weeks for the plugs to break down on their own, but there are some things you can do to help the plugs break down faster to tidy up the lawn. You can hope for rainfall, but you can also water the lawn to help the plugs break down.
How soon after aeration should I water? ›Begin watering immediately after the aeration work is complete. Light and frequent watering is preferred for seedlings. Dos Amigos Landscaping recommends watering to the point where at least 1 inch of the top of the turf is wet or light puddling is taking place. Water at least two times per day.
Should I fertilize or overseed after aerating? ›For best results, aerate the lawn first, then spread seed and fertilizer afterwards. Going in this order - aeration, seeding, then fertilizing - allows the seed and fertilizer to fall into the aeration holes and make full contact with the soil.
Should I overseed my lawn after aerating? ›Typically, overseeding 48 hours following aerating is a best practice, as this will give the seed the best chance of getting into the soil. Aerating will also help to correct problems in your lawn such as thinning.
What is the best month to aerate and overseed? ›The best time to aerate your lawn is in late summer or early fall, as this will allow your grass to recover completely before going dormant in the winter. While Fall is recommended, you can also aerate and overseed your lawn in the spring between March and May.
How do I prepare my lawn for aeration? ›Ideally, you should water the lawn at least a day or two before aeration; you should add at least one inch of water to the soil to make it easier for the aerator to penetrate the soil and pull out the cores. Do not try to aerate a muddy or especially wet area though, as that will just clog the machine.
Can you fertilize right after aerating? ›Immediately after aerating, your lawn is exposed to oxygen, and so laying fertilizer during this time is your best bet for growing a healthy, envy-worthy lawn. The best fertilizer to use (and how much) will be dependent on your grass type and lawn size.
How long does it take for aeration to work? ›
While aeration itself can take just a couple of hours, depending on the size of your commercial property, plugs typically break down in about two weeks. This can be longer or shorter depending on weather conditions, but mowing does help expedite this process.
Will aeration help a bumpy lawn? ›As we talked about earlier, aeration is an essential part of leveling a bumpy lawn. Over time, weather, wildlife and regular wear-and-tear can cause the soil to become compact, preventing your lawn from getting the nutrients it needs. To reverse this, aerate!
What are the drawbacks of aeration? ›Disadvantages include higher capital cost for aeration equipment, higher operating cost (particularly energy for pumps or aerators), higher maintenance requirements, and possibly monitoring requirements for checking the dissolved oxygen level in the liquid.
What happens if it rains after aeration? ›Your freshly aerated lawn will usually not be greatly affected by a day or two of heavy rain. The holes created by aeration will generally not cause problems, since the thick, deep and matted root system of common grasses effectively absorbs water and will hold the soil in place.
How many passes should I make with a plug aerator? ›Aerate Thoroughly with Multiple Passes
If your lawn has large bare areas, make three to four passes. The more soil plugs and holes you have in your lawn, the better.
He notes that aerators can cost $70 to $500, depending on how many gallons of water you're treating. They use between 4.5 watts to 35 watts of energy. “It's no more than running a lightbulb if you left it on in your house,” Chubb says.
Should an aerator be on all the time? ›By running the fountain as an aerator 24/7 you will reduce excessive nutrients in the water which will prevent these undesirable algae blooms.
What is the cheapest way to aerate your lawn? ›A manual aerator is the cheapest way to go for just $40. You can also use a push aerator, which works like a manual lawn mower. Finally, you can even strap on some lawn aerator spikes to your shoes and aerate your lawn by walking around on it.
Does aerating reduce weeds? ›Aerating your lawn allows vital nutrients, water, sunlight and oxygen to sink in and reach the root system of your lawn. This will promote a healthy and deep root system, giving you a lush green lawn that is better equipped to defend against the intrusion of unwanted weeds and grasses.
What type of aeration is best? ›If you're ready to give your grass a refreshing breath of air and a natural dose of nutrients, aeration is the way to go. Spike aeration is a quick fix for a mildly compacted lawn. But for a long-term lawn health solution, core aeration will give your grass what it needs for sustained, dense growth.
Is it best to have large or small bubbles for increase aeration? ›
If a certain amount of air is divided into large bubbles, while an equal amount of air is divided into small bubbles, the smaller bubbles will enable a greater transfer ratio of oxygen into the water.
What is the best and cheapest way to aerate lawn? ›Lawn aerator and other tools you'll need for the project
A manual aerator is the cheapest way to go for just $40. You can also use a push aerator, which works like a manual lawn mower. Finally, you can even strap on some lawn aerator spikes to your shoes and aerate your lawn by walking around on it.
After Aeration Overseed and Fertilize
Immediately after aeration, your lawn is ripe for overseeding and fertilizing. The holes provide excellent soil exposure for seeds and deliver fertilizer directly to the roots of your grass. For best results, use high-quality seed and fertilize with Milorganite®.
Aeration loosens soil, improves drainage, prevents thatch buildup, and helps roots get the food they need to grow long and strong. Unless your soil is sandy and drainage is not a problem, it's a good idea to consider aerating.
What is the best way to add aeration to soil? ›Soil additives: You can improve your soil's aeration by adding elements such as peat moss, sand, perlite, and vermiculite, which make the potting mix less dense. Adding stones to the bottom of your container can also help drainage, improving the soil's aeration and adding humidity.
Should I topsoil or aerate first? ›After you've finished aerating, you're ready to apply the topsoil. Doing so is a physically demanding process. While there are machines that can help, the process works best and most economically when done by hand. You'll need a wheelbarrow, shovel and rake.
How far down should I aerate my lawn? ›Aeration holes are typically 1-6 inches deep and 2-6 inches apart. Other types of aerators push solid spikes or tines into the soil without removing a plug (spiking). These are not as effective because they can contribute to compaction.
Should you water right after aerating? ›Immediately following an aeration service, begin watering the new grass seed. The seedbed must be kept damp for a continuous period of 28 days (the time it takes for the seed to germinate fully). Do not drown the seed when watering, but moderately dampen the first several inches of the soil.
What happens if I mow after aeration? ›If you don't let the new seeds acclimate and establish roots mowing can damage the new seedlings. We advise to wait until the lawn that's been aerated and overseeded be at least 4" in height before your first mow.
Do you have to seed immediately after aerating? ›Within 48 hours after you aerate you should over seed, fertilize, and water your lawn. The seed, fertilizer, and water will have the best chance to get down into the holes made by the aerator if applied soon after aeration.
Is a plug or spike aerator better? ›
Plug aerators are usually more effective at relieving compaction in lawns with a heavy clay soil since the solid tines used on spike aerators compact the clay soil further when they push into the ground.
How long does it take to see results from aeration? ›How long until I'll see healthy grass? Whether you fertilize and aerate together or just fertilize your lawn, you should see results within six to eight weeks.
Do you rake up dirt after aeration? ›Leave aeration plugs alone
Core aeration will leave plugs of dirt on the lawn. Although this may be unsightly, DO NOT RAKE up the plugs. By removing the plugs, you stop them from contributing critical nutrients and microorganisms to the soil below. It is best to leave them in place.
During the first two weeks following your aeration and seeding service, the main goal is to keep the ground/seed moist while the seed begins to germinate. We recommend that you water each day for at least 20 minutes in all areas of the lawn (water the soil to a depth of about 1/4”).