Can I aerate my lawn too much?

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).

What happens if you aerate too much?

Plus, if you aerate your sandy or loamy soil too often, you'll weaken the soil. Clay soils, for example, need aeration every year or every few years depending on how compacted the ground is. Clay soil holds in water, but can't easily circulate oxygen for plant health.

How many times can you aerate your lawn?

As for frequency, Friell said aeration should be performed at least once per year on most lawns. Lawns with compacted soil or soil with high clay content may benefit from aeration twice annually.

Can aeration hurt your lawn?

Here's the problem with that approach: Aerating in the spring could actually hurt the lawn more than help it. While aerating does relieve soil compaction – enabling roots to more easily obtain fertilizer, water, and air – it could also cause it to dry out quicker.

How long after aeration can you see results?

Believe it or not, you can actually see core aeration and overseeding results on your commercial property in as little as 7 to 10 days. This is when the soil plugs will break down and the seeds will begin germinating and you'll start to see healthier, thicker grass develop.

How Often Should Lawn Aeration Be Done?

What month is best for aeration?

The best time to aerate your lawn is in late summer or early fall, as this will allow your grass to recover completely before going dormant in the winter. While Fall is recommended, you can also aerate and overseed your lawn in the spring between March and May.

Should you water immediately after aeration?

Begin watering immediately after the aeration work is complete. Light and frequent watering is preferred for seedlings. Dos Amigos Landscaping recommends watering to the point where at least 1 inch of the top of the turf is wet or light puddling is taking place. Water at least two times per day.

Can I aerate my lawn every week?

Aerating your lawn should be done every year at least once. You can aerate at any time but especially in the weeks leading up to you applying any fertilizer. You should avoid any times that may be leading to very cold or dry weather.

When shouldn't you aerate your lawn?

It is best to avoid aerating lawns when they are going into dormancy. So, late summer or early fall are too late for warm-season grasses; it is best to aerate in late spring or early summer. For aerating cool-season grasses, stick to early spring and early fall.

Should I pick up plugs after aerating?

As we've established, don't remove aeration plugs. It takes approximately one to two weeks for the plugs to break down on their own, but there are some things you can do to help the plugs break down faster to tidy up the lawn. You can hope for rainfall, but you can also water the lawn to help the plugs break down.

Can you double aerate your lawn?

Fortunately, you can give your lawn a lush appearance with double aeration and overseeding. At The Lawnsmith, we recommend that homeowners schedule this procedure in the spring and fall to ensure a healthy lawn throughout the year.

How long does it take for grass to grow after aeration?

While it's going to vary depending upon the weather, it usually takes about two to four weeks for your new grass to start to germinate.

Does aerating flatten lawn?

Homeowners who have a bumpy or uneven lawn might be hoping that an aeration service will have some sort of impact on leveling things out. Unfortunately, aeration is not going to fix a bumpy lawn. Whether it's just a few low spots or it's a completely uneven lawn, these issues all come down to re-grading.

What should I do immediately after 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.

Should you mow before or after aerating?

Before you aerate, mow your lawn low (Timberline lawn experts recommend setting your mower to about 1.5-2 inches above the ground to maximize the effectiveness of aerating, being sure to not scalp the crown of the grass.) You will want to water one to three days before aerating.

How long should you wait to mow after aerating?

They'll need to acclimate and set roots before the first mow, so during the first two to four weeks post aerating and overseeding, don't mow.

Can you aerate lawn every month?

Newly established lawns should be aerated twice a year. Hard or clay-like soils should be aerated as often as once per month every year to prevent/relieve soil compaction. Another reason to aerate more often is if you have not aerated in a while.

How many inches should you aerate 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). These are not as effective because they can contribute to compaction.

Should lawn be wet before aerating?

If the soil is wet, you won't want to aerate it, as it can get quite muddy. However, you also want to make sure the soil isn't too dry either. It is typically suggested that you water a dry lawn between two days before and the evening before you aerate to ensure that the soil isn't rock hard.

Can I overseed a week after aerating?

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.

Can you walk on lawn after aeration?

Don't walk too much on lawns after aeration to allow new grass to grow if you seed during aerating.

How often should you aerate and overseed?

This depends on soils, traffic and moisture but every other year is a good general rule. Aeration can also pave the way for significantly increased lawn thickness by creating the perfect canvas for overseeding. This is the process of adding grass seed into an existing lawn.

Should you overseed right after aeration?

Typically, overseeding 48 hours following aerating is a best practice, as this will give the seed the best chance of getting into the soil. Aerating will also help to correct problems in your lawn such as thinning.

Should you fertilize after aerating?

Immediately after aerating, your lawn is exposed to oxygen, and so laying fertilizer during this time is your best bet for growing a healthy, envy-worthy lawn. The best fertilizer to use (and how much) will be dependent on your grass type and lawn size.

How long do aeration holes last?

While aeration itself can take just a couple of hours, depending on the size of your commercial property, plugs typically break down in about two weeks.