What is the cheapest way to aerate your lawn?
Spike aeration is a widespread and cost-effective method for aerating your grass. Much like garden forks, these tools puncture your grass, create small, but deep, holes, and allow the soil to “breathe” once more. Types of Aerators – Spike Versus Plug Aerators Spike aerators are suited for smaller lawns that are mildly compacted while plug aerators are ideal for larger and more compacted lawns. Plug aerators open the ground up to more ventilation compared to spike aerators.Overall, plugs win on effectiveness in spike vs. Spike aeration actually worsens your lawn’s health over time while plug aeration improves it. Because spikes only poke the surface, they don’t deliver air and nutrients directly into the soil the way that plug aeration does.Spike aerators create holes by pushing spikes into the soil. Plug aerators remove soil plugs, improving air and water flow. Choose spike for less soil disruption; plug for better long-term results.The two primary types of lawn aerators are plug aerators and spike aerators. Plug aerators, also called core aerators, have hollow tines and remove plugs of soil from your lawn. Spike aerators have rollers with solid spikes that puncture holes in the ground.Soil Type. Consider the type of soil in your lawn. Heavy clay soils benefit most from core aeration, as removing plugs helps break up compaction. Sandy soils may need less frequent aeration and could be suitable for a spike or liquid aeration.
What is the typical cost to aerate a lawn?
Lawn aeration typically costs $107 to $202. Homeowners with an average-sized yard typically spend between $107 and $202 to aerate their lawn. The primary cost factors are yard size, aeration type, and geographic location. You can over-aerate. Over-aerating your lawn can stress out your lawn and leave you with uneven soil. Even though it can be damaging to over aerate your lawn, it is actually quite difficult to aerate too much. It is recommended to have your lawn aerated once or twice a year.The best lawn care after aeration is to avoid walking on the lawn immediately after core aeration and overseeding, as it can disturb the new seed and plugs of soil. Wait until the new grass has grown to a height of 3-4 inches before walking on it.Most lawns need aeration every 1 to 5 years. In some cases, you may need to aerate twice a year, such as if your lawn has clay soil and receives lots of foot traffic. The frequency of aeration depends on the lawn’s soil type, level of compaction, and overall grass health.It’s too late to aerate and overseed your cool-season lawn as the season transitions from late fall into early winter. In many regions across the US, this could be around November. If you live in a frosty area, be sure to aerate and overseed at least 45 days before the first frost.
How deep should you aerate your lawn?
The ideal lawn aeration depth typically falls between 1 to 6 inches deep with a spacing of 2 to 6 inches between the plugs. However, it’s important to tailor your aeration depth to your lawn’s specific needs. Take into account factors such as soil type, grass variety, and the presence of thatch. Aerating machines should remove plugs of soil from the turf, creating a system of large pores by which moisture and plant nutrients can be taken into the soil. They are referred to as core aerators. Core aerators pull plugs about ½- to ¾-inch in diameter, 2 to 4 inches deep, and about 2 to 6 inches apart.The ideal lawn aeration depth typically falls between 1 to 6 inches deep with a spacing of 2 to 6 inches between the plugs. However, it’s important to tailor your aeration depth to your lawn’s specific needs. Take into account factors such as soil type, grass variety, and the presence of thatch.
What is the fastest way to aerate a lawn?
Aerating a lawn with a rolling spike aerator is quicker and easier than using a garden fork, but still requires quite a lot of effort, so is best used on small lawns. It is possible to over-aerate your lawn. While aeration is beneficial for soil health, excessive or improper aeration can cause damage to the grass and disrupt the overall balance of the lawn. Aeration should not be done too frequently.AFTER AERATION, DON’T: Don’t pick up the cores. A landscaper should leave the plugs on the lawn’s surface. The plugs will break down soon enough and provide plenty of nutrients to the turf.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.Aerating is easiest on you (or your equipment operator) and your lawn when your soil is moist from irrigation or rainfall the day before. Overly dry soil can be tough to aerate, so moisture eases the process. Never aerate overly wet lawns; wait a few days instead.On the other hand, one drawback of core aeration is that it can be invasive for your lawn. Because professionals mechanically pull up plugs of soil during this process, it can leave behind holes in the ground where those plugs were removed. As a result, it can stress it out.
What to do immediately after aerating a lawn?
After aeration, the soil becomes loose, which can cause it to dry out quickly. It is essential to water your lawn immediately after aeration to prevent the soil from drying out. Water your lawn deeply, and ensure that the water penetrates the soil to a depth of at least six inches. The national average cost to aerate your lawn is between $104 and $195. Prices vary depending on the size of your lawn, your location, and if there’s any preparation needed. Lawn aeration pokes holes in the soil so your grass can consume more water, oxygen, and nutrients.To determine whether your lawn needs to be aerated, dig up a small section of your grass, and examine the roots. If there are less than two inches of root growth, your lawn could benefit from being aerated. If you know that you have clay-based soil, aeration is a necessity for a healthy 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.If you don’t have an aerator, a simple garden fork is one of the best tools for the job. Simply push it into the soil every few inches, wiggling it to loosen the ground. Water your lawn a day before aerating to soften the soil, and make sure to work methodically to cover the entire lawn.
What month should you aerate your grass?
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. Cool-season grass is weak when coming out of winter dormancy, so spring would not be an ideal time to aerate. The summer heat is the most stressful point of the year for these grasses, so you will not want to aerate and add even more stress during that time.For the best results, aim to aerate your lawn in the fall growing season before the first frost. This allows your lawn to benefit fully before going dormant. In heavy foot traffic or compaction-prone lawns, consider aerating twice a year, including once in spring.The Best Season for Lawn Aeration and Dethatching The ideal time to begin aerating and dethatching is when the soil temperature is between 50-65°F (10-18°C). You typically want to do this between late winter and early spring, depending on weather conditions and the type of grass in your yard.During drought conditions: Aerating during a drought can cause additional stress to the grass and make it more difficult for it to recover. During extremely hot weather: Aerating during extremely hot weather can also cause additional stress to the grass and make it more susceptible to disease.After aeration, it is best to avoid heavy traffic on your lawn for at least two weeks. The holes created in the soil need time to heal and settle, and heavy traffic can cause further damage to the grass. Avoid parking heavy equipment or vehicles on your lawn during this time.