Lawn aeration 101: How to aerate your lawn.

Why is lawn aeration important?

The soil in your lawn can become compacted over time. Compacted soils can result from excessive rainfall, as well as foot and wheel traffic.

Soil compaction makes it harder for nutrients and water from the soil to reach the roots of your grass. Aerating lawn tools create small holes in the soil that break up compaction. Loosening the soil promotes root growth and helps keep your grass healthy.

When and how often should I aerate my lawn?

The timing for aerating your lawn depends on the type of grass and soil you have. A cool-season grass like Kentucky bluegrass will benefit the most from aeration in the early spring or early fall. On the other hand, for warm-season grasses such as zoysia or Bermuda grass, you should aerate in the summer or late spring.

If you notice any of these in your lawn, it’s likely time to aerate:

• Poor or uneven plant growth
• Difficulty penetrating the soil with a screwdriver
• Water pooling after rainfall

Generally, aerating the lawn isn’t necessary more than once a year. However, heavy clay soil is more prone to thatch buildup and may need more frequent aeration. Thatch is a hard layer of composted organic material. A thin layer of thatch is beneficial, but too much can prevent your grass roots from getting the nutrients they need.

What you need when aerating your lawn.

You don’t need many pieces of equipment for aerating a lawn. The two main items to get are:

• Aerating tool: Either a spike aerator or a plug/core aerator to create holes in the soil. A spike aerator creates holes without removing the soil. A plug aerator creates holes but pulls up the soil, leaving the little soil cores on top of your grass. Note: You can also find manual or gas-powered aerator machines.
• Watering equipment: A hose or sprinkler to water before and after aerating.

Pro tip: You don't necessarily have to buy a lawn aerator. Yay be able to rent a lawn aeration machine at a local company.

How to aerate your lawn in 4 easy steps.

Follow these steps to properly aerate your lawn:

Step 1: Water your lawn.

Watering your lawn a day or two before aerating can make the process easier and more effective. Dry soil will be harder to penetrate, and the holes may not be deep enough. Be sure not to overwater or aerate immediately after watering.

Step 2: Get the lawn ready for aeration.

Before you start aerating, clear any debris like sticks or rocks. Rake up leaves. Note the locations of any underground utilities or sprinkler heads so you don’t damage them.

Step 3: Dethatch your lawn.

If you have excessive thatch buildup, grab a rake or dethatcher machine to remove it. Pick up the debris, and then you can start aerating.

Step 4: Aerate your lawn.

There are several types of aeration machines, so choose the one that best suits your grass and soil. A spike aerator pokes holes using pointed spikes. A plug aerator (also called a core aerator) removes plugs of soil from the lawn with hollow tines. Your local home improvement store will likely have these options available. You might want to use a gas-powered plug aerator if you have a large lawn.

Use the aerator to make small holes in the soil, alternating directions with each pass. Be sure to make the holes at least 2-3 inches deep. The purpose of this process is to break up soil enough that oxygen, water and nutrients can reach your grass roots. The more holes you make in the soil, the more aerated it will be.

Step 5: Fertilize, overseed and water.

This step is optional, but highly recommended. After aerating, fertilization and overseeding are much more effective. The holes in your lawn make it easier to get seeds and fertilizer into your soil.

After fertilizing and overseeding, water the lawn to drive the seeds and fertilizer into the holes.

Lawn aeration tips to remember.

There's more to aeration than simply loosening the soil. Here are a few tips for the most effective process:

• Check the soil moisture: Lawn tools work best on moist soil, and you may need to water the lawn.
• Make a few passes: Going over the lawn once may not be enough. Aerate the entire lawn at least two or more times in different directions.
• Time aeration with other lawn care tasks: Seeding and fertilizing are more effective with a freshly aerated lawn. Try to do these tasks at the same time.

Hire a lawn aeration service on Thumbtack.

Aerating the lawn can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Although you can do it yourself, hiring a pro ensures it will get done right the first time.

Thumbtack is the best way to find a top-rated lawn care service near you. Download the Thumbtack app today to get a free estimate for lawn aeration.

Related: How much do lawn services cost?