Aerating Lawns

aerating lawns brick home
Lawn aeration is a process that many people swear by to get and keep a healthy lawn. Aerating a lawn involves putting holes throughout your lawn.
 
Aerating lawns can be done in one of two ways:
  • coring the lawn, which means extracting a plug of soil
  • pushing a rod down into the soil.

Lawn aerating can be done by homeowners or by a lawn aerating service. If you're making lawn aerating into a do-it-yourself project, generally you'll have a few choices in lawn rollers, also called lawn aerators:

  • manual aerator
  • power aerator.
Manual aerators, also sometimes known as sod-coring tools, are more labor-intensive but are very effective. They generally have either two or four spikes or hollow cylinders that the user forces into the ground with his foot. Manual aerators with hollow cylinders pull up plugs of soil, while manual aerators with spikes simply create a hole. Hollow cylinders are generally preferred over spikes.
 
Power aerators can either be purchased or rented from a lawn aerating service or tool rental store. Power aerators are quicker and are great for large areas of lawn. However, these tools are typically large and can be difficult to maneuver, so be prepared or have someone teach you how to use the aerator before use. Power aerators also come in spike and hollow cylinder varieties, and, again, the hollow cylinder is recommended.
 
Aerating lawn shoes are another method of aeration, though these are generally not recommended. They are less effective than other types of aerators. Some professionals even consider them a waste of time and money.
 

How Often to Aerate a Lawn 
How often to aerate will depend on the climate in which you live and the type of grass on your lawn. Four weeks of good growing weather after aeration is necessary.
 
Aeration is recommended in the spring, late summer or fall, depending on the type of grass you have.
 
To test whether or not your lawn needs aeration, puncture it with a screwdriver. If the screwdriver goes in easily, aeration is not yet necessary. If there is a great deal of resistance, it may be time to aerate.

Benefits of Aerating Lawns

Aerating soil in your yard can have a number of different benefits, including:
  • Aerating a lawn can help to break up lawn thatching.

  • Aerating allows oxygen to get to the roots of the grass and down into the soil, allowing it to breathe.

  • In aerating soil, lawn owners allow water to better soak into the soil and reach further down into the root system.

  • Root systems grow best in looser systems. Lawn aeration loosens up tight, compacted soil and benefits the root system by allowing it to grow better and more quickly.

  • Yard aerating allows organic fertilizers and nutrients to get down into the soil and get access to the root system.
This is by no means an all-inclusive list. There are many other benefits to aerating soil.

Advice on Aerating the Lawn

Aerating lawns can be difficult, especially for beginners. Make sure you have the right equipment and that your lawn actually needs aeration. Here are some other helpful tips:
  • After you aerate, leave the cores or plugs out on the grass to dry before removing them. You may later rake them into the grass or allow them to break up on their own.

  • Make sure you're aware of where your sprinklers are before beginning the aeration process. Puncturing a sprinkler with an aerator can cause a great deal of damage and should be avoided at all costs.

  • Water your lawn well the day before you plan on aerating. Your soil must be soft and moist. However, be careful not to over-water, as aerating muddy soil is not easy or recommended.
Resources
 
About (2008). Lawn aeration. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from the About Web site: http://homerepair.about.com/od/yardandgarden/ss/
sbs_org_mowing_2.htm.
 
Home and Garden Information Center (2007). Aerating lawns. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from the HGIC Web site: http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1200.htm.