How deep should I Core aerate

Known as a core aerator, it extracts 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter cores of soil and deposits them on your lawn. Aeration holes are typically 1-6 inches deep and 2-6 inches apart. Other types of aerators push solid spikes or tines into the soil without removing a plug (spiking).

How deep should you plug aerate your lawn?

The holes are typically 1.5 to 6 inches deep (more on what depth we recommend below) and the holes are 2 to 5 inches apart. So, what exactly does aeration do? It allows for air circulation at the root level of your lawn. This provides the optimal soil condition for healthy grass and growth.

Can you core aerate too much?

Loose soil doesn’t need to be aerated very often. … Especially thick types of grass may also call for aerating more frequently. As a general rule, you shouldn’t need to aerate more than once a year at any time (“too much of a good thing” applies here, since you don’t want to damage your soil).

How far apart should core aeration?

When you aerate, strive for an even 3- to 4-inch spacing between holes throughout the lawn. To do so, you must make two passes in different directions. Make sure that the soil is slightly moist — not too wet or too dry. Set the aerator to pull out cores about 3 inches long.

Can you adjust aerator depth?

Adjust depth control knob to desired depth. Coring depth decreases by turning the knob clockwise. Push down the rear wheel control handle to lower aerating tines into the ground (rear wheels will rise).

Is it OK to mow after aeration?

In general, aeration creates the most benefit on soil that is a little bit moist. Then, try not to mow right after aerating. Instead, mow beforehand, and consider laying seed and fertilizer over your lawn after aeration and give your lawn time for that new seed to germinate before you mow again.

Should I pick up plugs after aerating?

Those aeration plugs are vital to the health of your lawn. Resist the urge to “clean” the lawn after it’s been aerated, and whatever you do, don’t remove the plugs.

How do I know if my lawn needs aeration?

1. It’s Fall or Spring. The fall is the perfect season to aerate and seed your lawn. …
2. Puddles. Puddles are an indication of compacted soil. …
3. Worn Areas. Patches in the yard? …
4. Inability to Moisten. …
5. Thinning Grass. …
6. Discolored Areas. …
7. Uniformly Thin and Dull. …
8. Yard Stopped Growing.

Should you fill aeration holes?

Fill the aeration holes completely to the surface – Partially filled aeration holes result in a bumpy surface and reduce the overall effectiveness of core aeration. The holes are going to fill up with something, and it will be more thatch and organic matter unless sand can be applied to completely fill the column.

What should I do after core aeration?

What to Do After Aeration. After you finish aerating your lawn, let soil plugs or extra soil dry where they fall. They’ll break down in rain or crumble the next time you mow, adding beneficial soil and organic matter to your lawn surface.

Article first time published on

Is aerating or dethatching better?

It is best to dethatch first before aerating your lawn. Aerating is best done when there’s the problem of compaction. Both dethatching and aerating your lawn will improve air, nutrient, and water penetration into the root zone of your grass.

Should I aerate or dethatch first?

Excess thatch blocks out air, light and water from reaching root zones. Dethatching and aeration services go hand in hand. Dethatch first, then aerate.

Do I fertilize or overseed first?

Stop fertilizing for at least a month before overseeding. The fertilizer makes your grass grow faster, which makes it harder for the new seeds to take hold. Identify your grass type or the type of grass you want to grow, so you can manage it appropriately.

What fertilizer should I use after aeration?

After Aeration Overseed and Fertilize For best results, use high-quality seed and fertilize with Milorganite®. Mixing grass seed with Milorganite is an effective way to spread seed accurately.

What time of year is best to aerate lawn?

You want to aerate the lawn when your grass is in its peak growing period so it can recover quickly—think early spring or fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer for warm-season grasses.

How do I prepare my lawn for aeration?

Prior to aeration and seeding, a lawn should be mowed at a height of 1.5 to 2 inches. Any clippings left on the lawn after this close cut, should be bagged, blown or raked off the lawn. This is necessary to maximize seed to soil contact as the seed is spread. This is a key factor in successful germination.

What should I put on my lawn after aerating?

Apply fertilizer immediately after aerating your lawn to put nutrients into your grass roots. This allows the grass to better prepare for summer heat. Growing a thick, healthy lawn is useful in preventing weeds as well. Reseed your lawn, especially in areas of the lawn where the grass is thin.

Are spike aerators effective?

Spike aeration can be effective if, rather than trying to loosen the soil, you’re trying to improve access to grass roots during fertilization or prepare the surface of the lawn for overseeding. Generally, this method is best when lawns have minor to moderate compaction issues, according to Brinly-Hardy.

Is aeration overseeding worth it?

To revitalize your grass, you may consider aerating and overseeding, or creating holes in your soil to plant fresh seedlings. In fact, when done correctly, aerating and overseeding can be extremely beneficial to the wellbeing of your turf.

Does TruGreen aerate?

Fall is the perfect time to aerate your lawn to ensure your beautiful lawn is in tip top shape for next spring. Schedule your aeration service today with TruGreen®. So, you’ve decided to aerate your lawn – go you! Fall is actually the perfect time to schedule this service.

Should I water after aeration?

Watering Your Lawn After Aeration You should not water the day of because your lawn won’t have time to absorb the water. The goal after aeration is to keep your lawn moist without oversaturating the soil. … Be sure not to overwater, as this can cause the soil to shift, potentially negating your hard work!

How Much Should lawn aeration cost?

Professional Lawn Care Aeration and Treatment The cost to aerate your lawn by hiring a lawn care company is about $15 to $17 per thousand square feet. The average lawn size is about ten thousand square feet, making the average aeration cost around $150.

Do I need to top dress after aeration?

Timing wise, it is ideal to top dress after an aeration. When top dressing, you want to try and match the existing soil composition as best you can. However, if you have a very clay-based soil, it is best to apply washed river/pit sand to the lawn after aerating.

Can you aerate your lawn in November?

For warm-season grasses it is too late to aerate once the growing season has passed in late summer into early fall. For cool-season grasses, late fall into early winter is too late to aerate.

Should I seed after aeration?

Within 48 hours after you aerate you should over seed, fertilize, and water your lawn. The seed, fertilizer, and water will have the best chance to get down into the holes made by the aerator if applied soon after aeration. … If the fertilizer contains weed control, your grass seed won’t germinate properly.

Can you aerate and overseed in the spring?

Overseeding is used for larger areas where the turf is thin, but not bare. The effectiveness of overseeding, whether done in the spring or fall, is enhanced when it is combined with lawn aeration. … It is helpful to core aerate before and after seeding into an existing lawn.

Can you over aerate lawn?

If your lawn is healthy, aerating once a year is enough to keep it healthy. If you have a lot of compacted soil and thatch, you can aerate it twice a year. This may not sound like a lot for unhealthy soil, but if you aerate more than once or twice a year, it can actually damage the soil.

Does aerating lawn get rid of weeds?

Aerating your lawn allows vital nutrients, water, sunlight and oxygen to sink in and reach the root system of your lawn. This will promote a healthy and deep root system, giving you a lush green lawn that is better equipped to defend against the intrusion of unwanted weeds and grasses.

Can I aerate lawn in winter?

It takes proper care and regular maintenance, even in the winter. While the middle of winter isn’t the best time to aerate—since the ground is hard and grass won’t recover quickly—it doesn’t mean you can’t mentally prepare yourself and physically prepare your lawn for what’s to come.

Should you aerate your yard every year?

No, it’s not necessary to aerate your lawn every year, especially if your grass is healthy and thriving. Aeration is good if you’ve got compacted, poor or clay-heavy soil that’s been impacted by heavy equipment or lots of foot traffic. It’s also good to aerate if you are renovating a yard or installing a new one.

Does aeration help thatch?

Given the turf and soil conditions in our region, lawn aeration is not only the most effective way to eliminate thatch, but it is also one of the best things you can do to improve your lawn’s health, and that’s why we recommend aeration as a valuable component of any comprehensive lawn care program.