When is the Best Time to Aerate a Lawn?As a landscaper people often ask me, when to aerate a lawn and how often do they need to have it aerated. The correct answer is that it can vary by location, climate, and soil type. For most states, the best time to aerate your lawn is usually in Middle of Spring or in the late Fall. (Learn more about the benefits of fall aeration.) 
If I had to choose only one time of year to aerate my lawn, I would do it in the spring. This is because aerating your lawn in the spring will prepare it for summer. After you aerate, you can also over seed and put down starter fertilizer. Not only that, but when people have a lot of clay in their soil, the soil will expand in the summertime. Aerating in advance with a core aerator, allows the soil room for the soil to expand with out compacting the roots. Also springtime aeration will help you develop deeper roots and a thicker turf for the summertime when there is less water. You get the maximum benefit out of your lawn when you aerate in the spring because it allows you to enjoy your lawn even more during the summer months.
When to Aerate Lawn By Climate
Cooler States
For Spring Aeration the optimal window is March to the end of June. For fall aeration, it is September to October. The 'perfect time' to aerate a lawn may change according to location. If the ground is to soft, it may not be a good time. If the ground is too hard it may need to be watered for about an hour before hand to obtain the best results.
Warmer States
If you live in a warm coastal states like California, or Florida, the perfect time to aerate could be as early as February and as late as November. For the Midwest and the south, summer is a great time to aerate. For best results, aerate often, lawns that are aerated on a regular basis may produced better plugs.
When to Aerate a Lawn - By Soil Type
It is important to know when to aerate lawn if it is hard. If your lawn is hard or has a lot of clay in it you definitely want to aerate in the spring.When you aerate your lawn in the spring with a core aerator you make a lot of holes in your lawn. When summer comes along or when the average daily temperature goes above 70°, the clay soil will expand. Normally, this will put a lot of extra compression on the roots and the grass doesn't grow well in the summer.But if you have aerated your lawn before hand, then the holes in the long will help absorb the compaction from the expanding soil. Even after the soil expands, the lawn will beless hard. If you live on a hill, or if you have a lot of clay in your soil, you should definitely consider having your lawn aerated every year.
How often should I Aerate my lawn?
Most lawn experts recommend you should aerate a lawn every 1-3 years. Aerating is viewed by many as a great way to save water. (Having grass with deeper roots allows you to water less often and still have a green lawn in the summer.) Some cities and states even offer a mail in rebate for the first time you aerate your lawn.
If your lawn has inclines, pets or active outdoor children you may even need it twice a year. The best time to fertilize and over seed is just after you aerate. Particularly for new lawns, turf aeration is very important in helping lawns become established and helping the sod to stick. Most developers scrape off the topsoil when they build a new home and it can take years before that soil can be naturally healthy again. The best way to make it green and healthy is to aerate it. Also, in many areas new lawns tend to be installed on top of hard clay. A core lawn aerator can speed up the process of soil integration by encouraging roots and grass growth. If you have bad soil, you should aerate at least once a year for the first five years you own a home. It is very effective to also fertilize and over seed right after aerating. In the spring, applying starter fertilizer after aeration is great way to strengthen the root system and encourage root development. After a lawn is established most experts still recommend that you aerate once every three years.
When to Aerate Lawns Using Aerating Products
Liquid Aerator- Helps beak down clays and conditions the soil for organic growth. Best when used in conjunction with different types of aeration. Apply in the winter, or any time after you aerate. These also detoxify and encourage beneficial organic activity in the soil.
Tow behind aerators are best when you need to cover a large property of commercial area. Also they are a cheap alternative to buying an aeration machine. Most trafficed areas are aerated twice yearly.
Aeration shoes have small spikes and need to be used often for best results. They can counter act the effects of heavy traffic is garden areas, and can be worn when mowing the lawn.
Hand Aerators- Need to be used before the soil gets to hard or after a long watering period. They are idea for small lawns and fixing small yellow spots in the yard.
Spike lawn aeration- quick and easy. Work best in loamy soil.
Aerator Rentals are usually moderately priced. But are a quick and effective way to get the job done.
This page answers the questions of "When to aerate lawn" and "How often to Aerate"
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