What Time of Year to Aerate a Lawn?

Cooler Climates

• Lawn owners in cooler climates can choose between two optimal times for aeration. The early season aeration should be performed any time from early spring to early summer. The later season for aerating in cooler climates is early to mid-fall. The type of soil in which your lawn is planted and the level of moisture in the soil will determine more precisely the best time to aerate the lawn. Avoid aerating when the soil is too wet to result in defined plugs. Water the lawn for at least an hour prior to aerating if the soil is hard and dry.

Warmer Climates

• Lawns in warmer climates, such as coastal United States locations, can be aerated in the winter. The mild temperatures and moderate rain amounts during the winter months make for the ideal consistency for the soil to aerate effectively. During times of considerable and steady precipitation over days or weeks, the soil will become too soft for aerating. Conversely, during an unusual extended period of dry weather, you will need to water the soil before aerating.

Different Types of Soil

• Two types of soil will dictate two strategies for aeration. Clay soil is more easily compacted. The goal of aeration is to remove compact plugs of soil to provide an avenue for water to the roots. Clay soil makes removing those plugs easier. Sandy soil is not as easily compacted and much more dependent on moisture levels for consistency. Clay soil should be aerated more than one time per year. Sandy soil can be aerated just once annually.

As Part of Lawn Maintenance

• Aeration can be used in conjunction with dethatching and other semi-annual maintenance procedures. When repairing thin or dead patches of your lawn, aerate the patches to provide the means by which the water reaches the remaining grass roots and fosters new growth from overseeding. Dethatching is the process of removing debris from the upper layers of the soil. You should remove thatch before aerating so that the aerating method you employ will have a better chance to reach the lower grass roots.