Meet the Expert
What Is Lawn Aeration?
One thing aeration does particularly well is control thatch.
Microbes contained in the cored soil biologically break down thatch.
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This practice is especially beneficial in high-traffic areas.
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Solid, hard soil or even the oppositespongy grassare other signs you better aerate your lawn.
Lack of water due to poor aeration is a major reason for dry grass.
Foot traffic, vehicle traffic, and heavy items will contribute to soil compaction.
Water Puddles
Water shouldn’t puddle up on the lawn.
If it does, this may indicate that the ground is overly compact and isn’t draining well.
Thatch can prevent water and air from reaching the grass roots.
If the soil gets sticky when wet, it may have a high clay content.
Aerating helps break up dense clay soil.
“Aerate your lawn once or twice a year,” Halfman says.
This relieves the compaction that occurs during the summer.
This ensures that youre aerating at the correct time.
Otherwise, aeration may be ineffective.
Aerating in Harsh Winter Conditions
Aerating during extreme weather conditions can damage your lawn, says Halfman.
Tow-behind spikeaerators are better optionsfor DIYers.
Not Aerating When Moist
The lawn should be moist but not wet when aerating it.
A dry lawn is usually too hard for aeration.
Depending on your strength and inclination, a large lawn may be too much space to manually aerate.
