Benefits of Lawn Aeration

First lets talk about aeration and what the benefits are. Basically lawn aeration helps control lawn thatch and reducing soil compaction allowing the lawn roots to get more air flow. This also allows more room for grass roots to spread out and grow. Yards typically get compacted by a number of things such as everyday walking or if you drive a vehicle over it from time to time. The most common reasons yards become compacted is simply because of the everyday exposure to the sun and lack of water. By aerating your lawn your lawn benefits from improved air exchange, enhanced soil water update, improved fertilizer update and use, reduced water runoff and puddling, stronger grass roots, and reduced soil compaction.

Different Types of Lawn Aerators

There are two types of lawn aerators the spiked and the core aerators. Perhaps the most beneficial of the two would be the core aerator also know as a Lawn Plugger. Both aerators attempt the same end results just go about getting there differently. While the spiked aerator uses pointy spikes with a weighted frame to punch holes in the lawn a core aerator uses hallow tines that pull out cork like tubes of soil as it goes over the lawn. The spiked aerator may punch holes in the soil however at the same time it’s compressing which is why I recommend the core aerator over the spiked.

When To Aerate Your Lawn

For the most part Lawn Aeration is something that is seasonal and should be done at least once or twice a year. The best time to aerate a lawn is spring and fall when the ground is wet and not as hard. This allows for deeper penetration in the soil.  Summer is probably the worse time to aerate a lawn because that’s when the ground is generally very dry and the hardest. Area and climate also plays a big part of when to aerate your lawn such as if you live in a warmer region then towards the end of winter wouldn’t be a bad time as long as the ground isn’t to hard.

Even if you think your lawn is watered and plush it never hurts to test to see if your lawn needs to be aerated. Simply pull a core sample of at least three inches and check the soil compaction and depth of the thatch. A well aerated lawn will have a thatch depth less than half an inch.

Lawn Aerators For Sale