How to Aerate a Lawn
Lawn aeration encourages oxygen and drainage to help the soil in your lawn in a number of ways. It may do so by using a tool that removes plugs of soil in a pattern or pokes holes in it. This improves drainage of water and allows applied nutrients to reach the root system of the grass. It is a great method for improving your lawn's health.
Mechanical Means of Lawn Aeration
- Use a lawn aeration tool that attaches to a lawn tractor. If you have a large yard, you'll probably be better off using one that attaches to your lawn tractor.
- Attach the aerator to the lawn mower.
- Pick a starting point and follow a pattern so that you reach every foot of the yard but don't overlap any of it in the same way you mow it.
Manual Lawn Aerators
- Use one that you simply push around the yard if you have a small lawn to take care of. They are certainly less expensive than the attachment type, and it's smart to only buy what you need.
- Add any weights if specified by the manufacturer of your lawn aerator.
- Do the same as if you were using an attachment aerator to be sure you are covering the entire lawn using a pattern.
Finishing Up
- Regardless of the method that you used, inspect the finished yard to be sure you covered all of it.
- Add or spread any fertilizer or nutrients to the soil at this time.
- Go over the lawn aerator and remove any dirt that has clung the spikes/tines on the aerator. Soil that is left on will encourage rust or corrosion of the metal. Keeping it clean after each use will make it last much longer for you.