When Should I Aerate?

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1. If you have clay soil, it will typically compact easily and need to be aerated more often than other types of soil andshould be aerated twice a year (Spring & Fall).
2. If you have sandy soil, it will typically not compact as easily as clay soils, thereforeyou should aerate your lawn only once during the year (Spring or Fall).
3. If you are planning on fertilizing or reseeding your lawn,it is best to aerate just prior to doing so. This will help allow the fertilizer, seed, and other nutrients to penetrate your lawn and soil, thereby producing better results.
4. Try not to aerate during times of drought and high heat. Instead of helping your lawn, it may allow moisture to escape the soil more rapidly and remove small layers of Thatch that can actually benefit your lawn. This moderate layer of thatch can help to insulate your soil from sunlight and excessive evaporation.
5. Avoid aerating your lawn during times of weed problems. Aerating may actually help spread weeds by causing weed infestation. Try to control your weeds prior to aerating.
6. Try to water and/or dampen your lawn one day prior to aerating. This will help soften the soil and allow for better penetration by the aerator, thereby providing better results.
7. If you just planted a new lawn and/or laid sod,it is best to wait until your grass roots are well established to begin aerating. Aerating sod just prior to good root establishment can actually pull-up the sod from the ground and create more problems then it is worth. Additionally, pre-mature aerating can cause excess moisture/water buildup and can prevent the grass roots form getting enough air to grow deep.