If you’re like most Americans, you want your lawn to look good. Around 83% of people surveyed say that having a yard is important, and 90% of people who already have a yard say that it’s important to keep it well maintained. In addition to routine care like lawn mowing, landscaping, and fertilization, using an aerator on your grass area can help improve the health and appearance of your lawn. Here’s a basic guide on when, why, and how you should aerate for a greener backyard.
Why Aerate?
An aerator is a tool that helps puncture tiny holes into your lawn, which allows air, water, and essential nutrients to better reach and serve the roots underneath the grass. If the soil is too compact, it may prevent the grass from getting the proper elements it needs to grow strong roots. If your lawn gets a lot of heavy use or has a lot of thatch, aerating can be a good way to reinvigorate growth and lawn beautification.
How to Aerate?
You want to choose an aerator that will physically remove plugs of soil, not just puncture holes. That ensures that the holes will actually let in air instead of further compacting the soil. You’ll want the punctures to reach about two to three inches deep and about 0.5 to 0.75 inches in diameter, spaced roughly two to three inches apart. Some aerators attach directly on to lawn mowers for easy maneuvering.
When to Aerate?
It’s best to aerate during the peak growing season, so that the grass roots can heal and fill in the holes for a stronger, healthier-looking lawn. Early spring is best for cool-season grasses, or late spring for warm-season grass.
If the grass seems a little greener on the other side, it may just be that you need to put a little extra love and care into your lawn. Proper aeration will give your grass the space and breathing room it needs to grow in stronger and healthier than ever before. Whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a landscaping company to help you out, a little bit of aeration can go a long way.