The Importance of Lawn Aeration

We’ve all seen aerated lawns before with those holes all over the yard and dirt plugs everywhere, but the real question is what are the benefits of aeration and when should you aerate your lawn? As with all lawn care related questions, it depends.  It depends on the climate in which you live, the type of grass you have in your yard and the specific characteristics of your lawn. As a general rule, the majority of aerating is done in the spring and fall, as this process can help prepare your yard for the most stressful and extreme weather seasons.

One of the reasons soil is aerated in the spring is to provide room for expansion, which occurs in the heat of the summer.  If your soil has a high percentage of clay it is especially prone to expansion and aeration is even more essential.  Aeration is also a great way to improve the ability of your grass to absorb water, which will save water and money in the long run.  Aeration also helps relieve some of the compaction problems that occur as a result of traffic on your lawn. The less compact your soil is the more room there is for roots to grow, strengthening your grass.  Another benefit of aeration is its ability to break up thatch.  Thatch is very common in grasses and occurs when dead roots and stems collect at the base of grass shoots.  Excessive thatch can be very detrimental to your lawn.

While some homeowners attempt to perform their own lawn aeration, this is a process best left to your professional lawn care company.  They will know when the most ideal time to aerate is and how often this process needs to be repeated to keep your lawn in pristine condition. It may seem like a tedious step in your lawn care regiment, but it is a very necessary and beneficial process that should not be neglected.