Table of Contents
What is the best way to aerate your lawn?
How to aerate with a garden fork Avoid aerating in very dry or very wet conditions. Firmly spike the surface down to at least 30mm. Move the fork back and forward a little then pull out. This cracks the soil a little and creates a hole in the soil to allow air in.
Should I mow before or after aeration?
In general, aeration creates the most benefit on soil that is a little bit moist. Then, try not to mow right after aerating. Instead, mow beforehand, and consider laying seed and fertilizer over your lawn after aeration and give your lawn time for that new seed to germinate before you mow again.
Should you aerate your lawn dry or wet?
Aerating is easiest on you (or your equipment operator) and your lawn when your soil is moist from irrigation or rainfall the day before. Overly dry soil can be tough to aerate, so moisture eases the process. Never aerate overly wet lawns; wait a few days instead.
What do you do after you aerate your lawn?
What to Do After Aerating Your Lawn Leave the soil plugs on the lawn to decompose and filter back into the holes left by the aeration machine. Apply fertilizer immediately after aerating your lawn to put nutrients into your grass roots. Reseed your lawn, especially in areas of the lawn where the grass is thin.
What is the best month to aerate my lawn?
When to Aerate Your Lawn You want to aerate the lawn when your grass is in its peak growing period so it can recover quickly—think early spring or fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer for warm-season grasses.
Do you rake After aerating lawn?
Coupled with foot traffic and rainfall, the soil below the thatch slowly becomes more compact — a dense soil structure hinders water and air pocket retention while causing stress to the grass itself. You should not rake the lawn after aeration unless you are breaking down the removed cores.
How do I prepare for aeration?
Preparing for Aeration Aerating your lawn begins by preparing the area. 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.
Should you water after aeration?
Your lawn’s watering needs immediately after aeration and overseeding are going to be a bit different than what you might be used to. Your lawn is going to require less water but more frequently. You need to keep the soil moist but you don’t want to water for too long.
How much weight should I put on my aerator?
one or two 4x8x16 concrete blocks at 35lbs each should be plenty.
Can you aerate your lawn too much?
Loose soil doesn’t need to be aerated very often. Especially thick types of grass may also call for aerating more frequently. As a general rule, you shouldn’t need to aerate more than once a year at any time (“too much of a good thing” applies here, since you don’t want to damage your soil).
Is aerating your lawn worth it?
Is lawn aeration necessary? Almost all lawns will benefit from aeration, and a great lawn demands it. That said, most lawns do not need it. Lawns suffering from heavy foot traffic, excessive thatch (>1 inch thick) or grown on heavy soils will benefit most.
How much does it cost to aerate a lawn?
Professional Lawn Care Aeration and Treatment The cost to aerate your lawn by hiring a lawn care company is about $15 to $17 per thousand square feet. The average lawn size is about ten thousand square feet, making the average aeration cost around $150.
How long after aeration can I walk?
Give it at least two weeks before walking on the lawn after aeration. Much like the weight of a lawnmower, walking on an aerated lawn can cause a host of issues.
How long does it take to aerate a lawn?
Rolling Aerator: Rolling aerators should take about 30 minutes to 1 hour to aerate a lawn. Tow-Behind Aerator: Tow-behind aerators should take about 20 to 30 minutes to aerate a lawn. Stand-On Aerator: Electric aerators should take about 15 to 30 minutes to aerate a lawn.
Can I aerate my lawn with a pitchfork?
You can aerate a lawn with many different tools. The most inexpensive way is with a pitchfork or spading fork. This tool is most useful for aerating smaller areas. Simply punch holes as deep as possible in the turf layer and then rock the fork to enlarge the holes.
Can you just sprinkle grass seed on lawn?
Can you just sprinkle grass seed on top of your existing lawn? While it’s possible to simply sow the new grass seed over your existing lawn, taking the time to prepare your lawn beforehand will increase the likelihood of seed germination and improve your end result.
Is there a bad time to aerate your lawn?
Aeration can take place at any time of the year, but the best time is usually in the spring/early summer or fall. The general recommendation is to core aerate when there is the most root growth.
Do you clean up the plugs after aerating?
Those aeration plugs are vital to the health of your lawn. Resist the urge to “clean” the lawn after it’s been aerated, and whatever you do, don’t remove the plugs.
How far apart should holes be when aerating lawn?
Make sure you’re aerating the entire lawn. You’ll also want to space the holes evenly, about three to four inches apart. You may need to make several passes to achieve the right spacing. Stay off the lawn for a few days afterward.
Should you aerate your lawn every year?
No, it’s not necessary to aerate your lawn every year, especially if your grass is healthy and thriving. Aeration is good if you’ve got compacted, poor or clay-heavy soil that’s been impacted by heavy equipment or lots of foot traffic. It’s also good to aerate if you are renovating a yard or installing a new one.
