How Does a Lawn Aerator Work?

Keeping your lawn healthy, green and lush requires more than just watering and mowing. The process of aerating your yard combines several benefits that will help you to have the lawn you have always wanted. Aerating your lawn occurs normally a once the yearly.

Aeration Equipment

Several types of aeration equipment exist on the market today. The solid blade aerators simply poke holes in the soil without removing an actual core. There are shoe aerators which you strap to your feet and walk around the yard giving you the same results.

By far the most recommended form of aeration uses the core aerator. This type of aerator removes plugs or cores of soil approximately the size of your pointer finger.

When to Aerate

The time you choose to air rate your lawn is critical to ensure success. Aeration should occur at the grasses peak growth time. These times will differ depending on your growing zone. For warmer season grasses - spring and for cooler grass late summer to early fall make ideal aeration times.

How to Aerate

Perform the following steps prior to aeration:

• Mow the yard to a slightly shorter height than normal.


• Lightly water the lawn to make the job easier.


• Locate and mark all pipes, sprinkler heads and other in-ground devices.

You can either perform the aeration process yourself by renting equipment, or you can hire a lawn care service to do it for you. If you rent the equipment yourself, follow manufacturer’s directions in the operation of the equipment.

Why Aerate?

One of the basic needs of a good healthy yard requires the accessibility to oxygen, but the oxygen that they require must be available to the root system. As people walk or play in your yard it contributes to compacting the soil. A compacted soil does not provide space in the root system for oxygen. Aerating your lawn provides these much needed spaces.