How do you aerate lawns

This method is typically used by groundsmen who need to improve their soil profile, so if you're not confident you can carry the work out you may wish to hire a professional. We have a selection of wildflower mixtures for gardens and landscapes that are tailored to your specific needs. Accessing our website tells us you are happy to receive all our cookies.

However you can change your cookie settings at any time. Find out more. How to aerate your lawn. Air pores in your soil help water to move more freely allowing the flow of nutrients as well as allowing oxygen in the air to aid root respiration.

Although spiking the lawn with a fork will improve air and rain penetration, it will unfortunately not reduce compaction. This option is perfect for people with smaller gardens. Aerator shoes have underneath them They work great in combination with lawn mowing, so consider putting them on when mowing the lawn to ensure that you cover the entire area.

Hand aerators are designed to make specifically measured holes in terms of depth. A good example of such a tool is the hollow tine aerator. A hollow tine aerator is used for removing plugs of soil to prevent the created hole from closing up quickly.

There are two types of machine aerators - small and large ones. Large machine aerators are usually pulled by a tractor as they are meant for larger gardens and even fields. GoFantastic is the first London app to instantly book any service for your home, garden and office from just one company. Everything about Lawn Aeration. What is Lawn Aeration? Why, When, and How to Do It? What is lawn aeration? Why do you need to aerate your lawn?

When is the best time to aerate a lawn? Seasonal lawn aeration schedules to choose from. From March till November. When and how often to spike a lawn depending on its type Newer lawns need to be aerated a bit more often as their root system is not as mature and this will help them develop and grow.

Lawns with hard or clay soil have to be aerated at least once a year as they have a harder time getting fresh air and water to reach their roots. Of course, if you notice that the grass is looking unhealthy you might want to increase the frequency. Need a professional? Concentrate on any known problem areas, like pet runs or backyard baseball diamonds.

Make several passes in different directions to help ensure optimal coverage and benefits. After you finish aerating your lawn, let soil plugs or extra soil dry where they fall.

They'll break down in rain or crumble the next time you mow, adding beneficial soil and organic matter to your lawn surface. Right after aeration is a perfect time to overseed with premium Pennington Smart Seed and fertilize your lawn or do simple lawn repairs. Seeds and nutrients have direct contact with soil through the openings your aerator created and roots have fresh pathways for the things they need.

The combination can help put your lawn on the fast track for quick seed establishment and thicker, lusher growth. By adding aeration to your annual task list or doing regular compaction tests to check for need, you help ensure your lawn can reach its full potential for thickness, health and beauty.

Pennington is committed to providing you with the finest in grass seed and lawn care products to help you achieve your lawn goals. Simple, regular maintenance tasks go a long way in creating a thicker, healthier lawn. But jobs typically reserved for once a year can play a significant role in supporting smaller steps taken across the months. For many homeowners, aerating lawns to relieve soil compaction and enhance grass growth is a regular annual task.

Almost any lawn can benefit from aeration when it's timed well and done properly. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn. The main reason for aerating is to alleviate soil compaction.

Compacted soils have too many solid particles in a certain volume or space, which prevents proper circulation of air, water and nutrients within the soil. Excess lawn thatch or heavy organic debris buried under the grass surface can also starve the roots from these essential elements. One of the most common questions from homeowners is how to determine if they should be aerating their lawn.

Your lawn is probably a good candidate for aeration if it:. The best time for aeration is during the growing season, when the grass can heal and fill in any open areas after soil plugs are removed. Ideally, aerate the lawn with cool season grass in the early spring or fall and those with warm season grass in the late spring. Two main aerating tools exist — a spike aerator and a plug aerator.

With a spike aerator, you simply use the tool to poke holes into the ground with a solid tine, or fork. Plug aerators remove a core or plug of grass and soil from the lawn. For the best results, use an aerating tool or machine that actually removes plugs of soil. Poking holes is less effective and can actually cause additional compaction in the areas around the holes.

Look for an aerating tool or machine that removes soil plugs approximately 2 — 3 inches deep and 0. These machines can be rented from lawn and garden stores or home improvement centers. Always follow the directions provided by the store.

You may want to consider sharing the rental cost with a neighbor who is interested in aerating the lawn. If you're convinced that your lawn is in need of aeration, here are some lawn care tips on how to do it:. Aeration is a beneficial practice toward achieving a beautiful lawn, but most people don't realize it or understand the process.

If your lawn is a candidate, make it an integral part of your lawn care regime.