Should you aerate sod?

Yes, you should aerate your lawn at least once a year, or more if necessary, as well as perform all other important maintenance practices (watering, fertilizer, pest control, etc.) to maintain turf health and vigor.

When Should I aerate my sod?

Time Of Year Aeration Should Be Done

The best time to aerate is during the growing season when your grass can heal and fill in any open areas once soil plugs are removed. In most parts of California, the best time to aerate tends to be in the late summer to mid-fall months, ideally September or October.

Does new sod need to be aerated?

Aerating is a wonderful practice for ensuring your lawn can get enough air flow so that water and nutrients will easily reach the roots of your grass. However, you won't need to aerate your new sod for at least a year after it's installed.

When should you not aerate your lawn?

Spring is not the ideal time to aerate the lawn, but circumstances may require it. If the soil is so compacted that existing grass can't grow, it may be necessary to aerate in the spring. 1 Generally, though, spring aerating is discouraged because the aeration holes provide a perfect spot for weed seeds to germinate.

Should you dethatch new sod?

Aerate the sod when the soil becomes compacted and the water runs off the soil rather then sinking into the soil. The soil must be softened for a couple of days with water. Dethatch the sod first and then remove the 1/4- to 1/2-inch-wide soil cores taken out 3 inches deep and spaced 4 to 6 inches apart.

Aerating New Sod on Compact Soil with drainage issues

How do I maintain my lawn sod?

Watering is the single most important step in successfully establishing your new lawn. During warm weather you should start watering sections of installed sod as you are laying the sod. To check if your sod needs water, lift up a corner of the sod. During the first 2-3 weeks the bottom of the sod should never be dry.

How do I know if my lawn needs aeration?

Is aerating or dethatching better?

While dethatching removes the layer of thatch above the soil surface, aeration removes actual plugs of soil from your yard. With looser, more nutrient-rich soil, root systems can spread out and grow deeper into the soil. Holes in your yard may not be glamorous, but they'll quickly fill in with dense, healthy grass.

Should I mow before or after aeration?

It's generally recommended to mow before aeration, especially if you're overseeding. That said, it won't hurt the lawn if you mow after aerating if you aren't laying down grass seed. Mowing first allows you to expose the soil before aerating.

How long does it take for sod to root?

How long does it take new sod to root? Your new sod should root within 10-14 days of application. This is also when you should mow your new lawn for the first time after laying sod. Be sure to set your mower to the highest setting possible in order to avoid cutting it too close to the root.

Can you overwater sod?

Take care never to overwater the sod while it is in the rooting stage. Soggy sod can lead to root rot and eventually new sod failure. Instead, water the sod in smaller amounts, several times during the day.

What to do after sod is laid?

Can you overseed new sod?

Yes, you can overseed new sod where there is signs of thinning as it helps regain the grass density that was lost. Nobody likes a patchy, thin lawn since they appear unhealthy, and the bare areas are excellent for moss and weeds to inhabit. Luckily, overseeding solves this problem.

How long do aeration holes last?

It can take up to a couple of weeks for the greens to recover, but these procedures are critical for the long-term health of the greens. This is typically done one to three times a year, depending on the course, the type of greens, and in what part of the country they are located.

Can you walk on lawn after aeration?

You can't walk on the lawn after aeration because the seeds and fertilizer need time to settle, and the soil could get too compact. Walking or mowing on a freshly-aerated lawn can prevent the seeds from sprouting and the soil from getting enough oxygen and nutrients.

Should I power rake or aerate my lawn?

I recommend using core aeration as an annual practice for lawns instead of power raking, which most everyone seems to do. Core aeration improves the lawn's health and vigor by breaking up soil compaction, which improves water drainage, nutrient absorption and air circulation to the roots.

Do aeration spikes work?

Stepping all over your lawn with spikes can aerate it, but it may also compact the soil more than is healthy. Simply put, aerator shoes are sandal soles with spikes attached. They're supposed to make holes in your lawn to allow more water and air to reach the grasses' roots, encouraging growth.

Does raking the grass help it grow?

Raking dead grass helps it grow because it invites water, nutrients, and sunlight to the soil. It also reduces the thatch layer, making way for new grass seeds, roots, and more. However, don't rake it too often or you'll risk damaging fragile living grass blades.

What happens if you don't aerate your lawn?

Grasses gradually thin and eventually die out completely, for lack of the oxygen, water and nutrients available just inches away. Even a single aeration session can open the avenue for these essentials to reach their mark and put your lawn back on an upward trend. Core aerators pull small plugs of soil to the surface.

Can you aerate too much?

Generally, if you over aerate your lawn, this will kill your grass and create drainage issues in your soil. One of the reasons this happens is that each time you aerate a lawn, you puncture holes into it, leading to problems if done too often.

Is it too late to aerate my lawn?

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 you put fertilizer on new sod?

As noted in our our Establishing a Newly Installed Lawn guide, you can begin applying the right kind of fertilizer for your newly installed lawn on the day of installation. Applying a fertilizer that is heavy in nitrogen content will not feed your lawn the nutrients it needs as it is trying to establish.

How often should you water freshly laid sod?

If the weather is particularly hot and dry, you may need to start irrigating the completed areas before the entire site is laid. Continue watering new sod twice per day, in the morning and afternoon—thorough, deep watering is best until the soil is saturated but not puddling.

Is it normal for new sod to yellow?

If you fail to give the sod enough water or fail to water it often after installation, or leave it to dry while it's in the waiting for installation, yellowing is a common sight. Whenever this happens, just stop and water the new or freshly laid sod after few pieces so it doesn't dry out completely.