When to Aerate After Laying New Sod?

Purpose

• Gardeners aerate their lawn to help lessen soil compaction, introduce better air circulation in the soil and increase drainage. Aerators are primarily used on grasses with heavy traffic or when there is a thick thatch buildup. While most aerators pull out a plug of soil, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter and between 1 and 6 inches long, other less expensive aerators just poke holes into the soil without removing the plug.

Facts

• Newly laid sod is delicate until the roots from the sod grow firmly into the soil. Since even walking on newly laid sod may tear new root growth, avoid aerating the lawn before roots have established. Depending upon the type of sod, you purchased, and your local weather conditions, sod may take four to six weeks to establish. Check for adequate root growth by gently tugging on a corner piece of sod; if it comes up the roots haven't established, it the sod stays in place there is adequate root growth. Inspect a few other spots on the lawn in the same manner to ensure consistent establishment.

Determination

• Since newly laid sod doesn't have a lot of traffic and doesn't have a thatch build up, you shouldn't need to aerate the area until after the first year, notes the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Determine if you need to aerate by removing one square foot of the lawn in an inconspicuous area, going down at least 6 inches. If the roots go down only 1 to 2 inches, you should aerate to encourage deeper root growth.

Timing

• Most lawns need aeration only once a year. Aerate cool-season grasses such as tall fescue when the grass comes out of summer dormancy. Aerate warm-season grasses such as Bermuda grass at their peak growth season, suggests Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Considerations

• To ensure your new sod establishes well with the soil, till the top 4 to 6 inches and integrate a fertilizer before laying the sod. Not only does tilling the soil break up hard chunks, but it aerates the area as well.