What Is Lawn Aeration, and How Does It Help Your Lawn?

Has your lawn looked a little worse for wear lately? Lawns endure a great toll since they frequently get foot traffic from humans and pets. In addition, they’re the site of countless barbecues and garden parties. Constant mowing and inadequate watering can also damage your lawn.

Fortunately, you can give your lawn a “breather” and restore it to its healthy, green, and lush state with lawn aeration. Here’s a run-down of how lawn aeration can help breathe new life into your lawn.

Lawn aeration comes to the rescue by breaking up compacted soil. It is the process of creating small holes or channels in a lawn using machines called aerators or a liquid solution. These holes or channels allow water, air and nutrients to easily reach the grass roots.

Without adequate airflow and access to essential nutrients, grass can become weak, thin, and prone to disease and pests. Over time, a lawn’s soil can become even more compacted. Additionally, thatch, which is a layer of dead grass and organic matter, can build up, further preventing water, air and nutrients from reaching the root system. 

Aeration is essential for the overall health of your lawn. The increased porosity of the soil from lawn aeration helps to improve the root growth and development of plants, as well as their ability to absorb nutrients and water. Additionally, aeration helps to increase the activity of beneficial microorganisms in the soil, which can help to break down organic matter and improve soil fertility over time.

There are three main types of lawn aeration: core, spike and liquid.

What Is Core Aeration?

Core aeration is the traditional method of lawn aeration. It involves removing plugs of soil and thatch from a lawn using a core aerator, a machine with hollow tines. The resulting holes are evenly spaced, about two to six inches apart, and are typically around one to six inches deep. Meanwhile, the plugs of soil are left on the lawn to decompose and add healthy organic matter back to the lawn. 

Fall and spring are generally the best times for core aeration because they offer cooler soil temperatures and good grass recovery conditions. However, the timing may be adjusted depending on your grass type and your local climate.

Be warned that your lawn will look less-than-attractive for a short while—it takes about two to four weeks for a core-aerated lawn to recover. However, it’s worth the wait because the result is a thriving, vibrant lawn less susceptible to disease. 

What Is Spike Aeration

This method uses an aerator with solid tines to puncture soil and create holes. However, unlike core aeration, it does not remove plugs of soil. Instead, it pushes soil further down. 

Spike aeration is typically used as a preventive measure or for mild cases of compacted soil. 

What Is Liquid Aeration? 

This is a newer method of lawn aeration. In liquid aeration, a special liquid is applied to the lawn to break up compacted soil. Compared to core aeration, it creates smaller, less noticeable openings. However, the tiny holes or pores created by liquid aeration still allow sufficient nutrient, air, and water infiltration. 

As with core aeration, liquid aeration allows roots to grow deeper and access more nutrients from the soil. This results in a healthier lawn and fewer weeds.

The following are some signs that your lawn needs aeration: 

Compacted Soil

Not sure whether your lawn has a soil compaction issue? Try the screwdriver test. Take a screwdriver and stick it into your lawn. If you could push it down several inches, then the soil isn’t compacted. However, the soil is likely compacted if you struggle with inserting the screwdriver. 

Pooling Water

When the soil is compacted, water cannot penetrate the ground effectively. Instead, water pools on the surface, leading to poor drainage. If you notice puddles forming on your lawn after rain, it is a clear sign you need to aerate.

Thatch Buildup

Thatch is the layer of dead grass, roots and other organic debris that accumulates between the soil surface and the grass blades over time. A small amount of thatch is useful as it helps retain moisture and insulates the roots. However, if thatch becomes more than half an inch thick, it forms a barrier that prevents water, oxygen and nutrients from reaching the grass’s roots. Aeration helps address compaction issues that can contribute to thatch buildup, promoting a healthier environment for grass.