How to Aerate a Wet Yard

Proper mowing, pest control, fertilizing, weed control and irrigation are the common practices used to maintain a healthy, dense and green lawn. There is one more practice, though, that helps a lawn with compacted soil: aeration. Aeration is the process used to help loosen compacted soils, enhancing air flow in the soil and improving its ability to absorb water, which may be why your soil is wet. It also helps the grass develop strong, deep root systems and according to Clemson University, aeration simply "improves its overall health."

Instructions

- 1
  Let the yard dry out for a day or two until it is moist but not saturated. If the soil sticks to your shoes, it is too wet.
- 2
  Mark the areas where with sprinkler heads, cables, underground wires, pipes and septic lines. Avoid these areas.
- 3
  Make a pass across your lawn with the aerator in a similar manner as you would when mowing your lawn. Many of the rented machines are push aerators. Some however, attach to the back of a riding mower.
- 4
  Make three to four more passes with the aerator, each time switching the row direction. For example, push the aerator in a south-north direction the first time, then in a east-west direction the second time. Go back to the south-north direction for the third pass and so forth. If you are reseeding after aerating your lawn, make a total of 10 passes.
- 5
  Rake the lawn to break up the clumps of soil and remove any thatch. It is now ready to reseed, if applicable.

How to Kill Burclover

What Happens if Grass Turns to Seed?

Lawn Maintenance