7 Signs You Really Need to Aerate Your Lawn Right Now (or Risk It Dying)

• Lawn aeration is the process of pulling small cores of soil from the grass, stimulating growth.
• Thinning grass, dry patches, heavy traffic, water puddles, and thick thatch are all signs your lawn needs aeration.
• When aerating, be aware of your climate, use the right equipment, and do the aeration when the lawn is moist.

If your lawn is growing poorly, lawn aeration might be just what you need. Lawn aeration cures so many problems—thinning grass, dry spots, slow growth, and more—that you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

We spoke to lawn irrigation experts to help you learn the seven signs you need to aerate your lawn.

What Is Lawn Aeration?

Aeration is a method of keeping your lawn healthy by pulling finger-sized cores of soil from your lawn, says Daniel Zhau, CEO of SoilDrops, a lawn irrigation system.

One thing aeration does particularly well is control thatch. Microbes contained in the cored soil biologically break down thatch. 

“Aeration also allows for better nutrient movement, reduces soil compaction, improves air circulation, and prunes roots, which stimulates growth,” Zhau says.

This practice is especially beneficial in high-traffic areas.

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Signs You Need to Aerate

A lawn that shows bare patches, dry grass, or lingering water puddles may be in need of aeration. Solid, hard soil or even the opposite—spongy grass—are other signs you need to aerate your lawn.

Thinning Patches

“If your lawn has thinning or dead patches, this may be a sign that your lawn isn’t getting the nutrients it needs, which may be a result of soil compaction,” says Eric Halfman, a manager with John Deere.

Dry Grass

Dry grass can be the result of several factors, including heat, pet activity, poor soil quality, and fertilizer burn. Lack of water due to poor aeration is a major reason for dry grass.

Heavy Traffic

Excessive foot traffic on your lawn can lead to soil compaction, says Halfman, and this may require you to aerate your lawn more often. Foot traffic, vehicle traffic, and heavy items will contribute to soil compaction.

Water Puddles

Water shouldn’t puddle up on the lawn. If it does, this may indicate that the ground is overly compact and isn’t draining well.

Thick Thatch

Thatch is a naturally occurring layer of dead grass, rhizomes, leaves, and other non-decomposed organic materials. Thatch can prevent water and air from reaching the grass roots.

“Aerating can help relieve the soil and break down excessive layers of thatch which blocks air, nutrients, and water from reaching the roots,” Halfman says.

Dense Soil

Dense clay soil is composed of fine minerals that pack so densely together that they prevent water from penetrating. If the soil gets sticky when wet, it may have a high clay content. Aerating helps break up dense clay soil. 

Spongy Feeling

Though a lawn in need of aeration typically feels dense and solid, it may feel soft in patches when puddles form or where thatch builds up.

How Often to Aerate a Lawn

Make aeration part of your regular lawn maintenance routine to keep your grass healthy.

“Aerate your lawn once or twice a year,” Halfman says. “Based on your climate and grass type, this should be done in early spring or early fall.”

If you live in a northern climate, Halfman recommends aerating in the fall, near the end of your mowing season. This relieves the compaction that occurs during the summer. 

For those who live in areas with warmer-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass, Halfman advises that aeration should be done in late spring, while the grass is actively growing.

5 Pitfalls to Avoid When Aerating

Avoid the most common mistakes people make when aerating their grass, with these tips from lawn experts:

Not Understanding Your Grass Type

Make sure you understand your grass type and climate, Halfman says. This ensures that you’re aerating at the correct time. Otherwise, aeration may be ineffective.

Aerating in Harsh Winter Conditions

Aerating during extreme weather conditions can damage your lawn, says Halfman. While you can aerate your lawn in winter on mild days, it’s still best to wait until spring.

Using the Wrong Aeration Equipment

Core aeration is generally best done by landscapers and other professionals, since a large core aerator machine is used. Tow-behind spike aerators are better options for DIYers.

Not Aerating When Moist

The lawn should be moist but not wet when aerating it. A dry lawn is usually too hard for aeration.

Manually Aerating a Large Lawn

With a manual aerator, you press the spiked end into the grass with your foot, repeating until you have spiked the entire lawn. Depending on your strength and inclination, a large lawn may be too much space to manually aerate.