Frequently Asked Questions
About Lawn Aeration and Plug Aerators
Why
aerate your lawn with a plug aerator? Aerating your lawn with a plug
aerator keeps it in good condition and helps maintain a healthy root
system that decreases the need for water and fertilizer. The top two
to three inches of soil get compacted with time, which affects the ability
of the roots to get what they need to maintain healthy grass. Plug aerators
use hollow tines to plunge into the ground and pull out a dirt plug.
This leaves holes that allow improved nutrient, air, sunlight and water
movement to the roots. These holes also retain water, which allows less-frequent
watering while still keeping the lawn green and healthy. Plug
aeration also break-ups dense clay and heavily compacted soils, leaving
more room for roots to grow. Healthier roots and less compacted dirt
equals a lawn more able to withstand heat, disease, drought and traffic.
Whether
to use a professional or do it yourself? You can hire a professional
to aerate your lawn annually or as needed. Ask friends or neighbors
for referrals or call lawn care companies. Many professionals will ask
you to point out sprinkler heads or other obstructions in your lawn
and may want you to water your lawn beforehand, then they do all the
work. If you want to do the job yourself, you can buy or rent a lawn
aerator. The aerator should be heavy enough to get good penetration
into the ground yet comfortable for you to use. Consider renting a different
type each time you aerate to determine which type you like best before
you buy.
How
to aerate your lawn? This depends on the type of aerator being used.
Generally, the aerator is either pushed or pulled over the entire surface
of the lawn in long rows. Corners and working around trees or other
in-lawn plants can be tricky, but many aerators are specifically designed
to work in these challenging areas.
When
to aerate your lawn? In general, aerate in spring (March to May) and
fall (August to November). This is especially true of cool season grasses
such as the popular Kentucky Bluegrass. Warm season grasses should be
aerated in the spring or summer. Ground-condition also matters. If the
ground is too hard, it will be difficult for the aerator to deeply penetrate
the soil and pull up plugs. Frequently this can be improved by watering
for an hour the night before. If the ground is too soft and wet, it
is best to wait until it dries out a little more.
How
frequently to aerate your lawn? A new lawn should be aerated every year
for the first five years, then every three years. Heavily-used lawns
may continue to need aeration every year or even more frequently, especially
is they see daily use by children or pets.
What
to do after you aerate your lawn? Water well after the lawn is aerated
to encourage roots to grow deep. This is also a great time to fertilize
and over-seed, helping the grass to out-compete weeds and take advantage
of improved access to the nutrients and room they need to grow.