All About Aeration

When I was around 15 or 16, I realized I needed a job to fuel my Chipotle addiction. I applied to just about every local spot for teen jobs but didn’t even make it to the interview stage. So, to keep those burritos coming, I decided to invest all the birthday money I had saved into an aeration “business.” I bought a commercial-grade aerator and stuck a magnetic sign with my phone number on my car to drum up business. Most of my work came from neighbors and family friends, but it was enough to satisfy my Chipotle cravings. I learned a lot about aeration during those years, and now I’d like to share some tips and tricks with you.

What is Aeration?

Aeration is the process of removing small plugs of soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil and reach the root zone. This promotes deeper root growth, improves soil drainage, and helps the lawn recover from compaction caused by foot traffic or tough weather conditions like droughts.

Types of Aeration

There are three types of aeration:

1. Core Aeration: This method removes plugs of soil from the ground, creating space that relieves soil compaction and allows for better nutrient absorption. It’s the most effective and recommended method of aeration.
2. Spike Aeration: This involves inserting multiple nail-sized spikes into the ground, often seen in spiked shoes you wear to “aerate while you mow.” However, it’s less effective because it can further compact the soil instead of loosening it.
3. Liquid Aeration: This method uses a chemical solution to break down bonds between soil molecules, creating space. It’s an easy alternative to core aeration, but its effectiveness is still debated.

When Should I Aerate?

The ideal times to aerate are early spring, when your lawn is just starting to grow, or in the fall, right before overseeding (if you’re planning to do so). You don’t need to aerate every spring and fall unless you want optimal results. A simple test to check if your lawn needs aeration is the screwdriver test: a few hours after watering, try pushing a Phillips-head screwdriver into the soil. If it easily goes down 4-6 inches, aeration isn’t necessary. If it’s hard to push in, it’s time to aerate.

Different Ways to Aerate

Here’s how you can perform each type of aeration:

• Spike Aeration: While not highly recommended, the simplest method is using aeration shoes with large spikes and walking around your entire yard.
• Liquid Aeration: Apply the solution using a hose-end sprayer or a backpack sprayer. Be sure to follow the label instructions, and water your lawn afterward to activate the product.
• Core Aeration:
  1. Hire a professional: This is the easiest (but most expensive) option. All you need to do is mark your sprinkler heads and water the lawn the night before.
  2. Rent a core aerator: This option can be cost-effective, especially if you split the rental with a neighbor. Be aware, though, that these are extremely heavy pieces of equipment and you should be relatively strong if you decide to go this route. Make sure the machine comes with a trailer, or bring one yourself. Even if you have a pickup truck it would take 4 grown men to lift it into the bed. Once you get the machine back to your home and off of the trailer, move it to your yard where you want to start. There should be two levers on most aerators. One is to bring the wheels up so the tines contact the soil and the other one is the drive lever. Once you get it going be sure to avoid the sprinkler heads as it will cause damage.
  3. Manual aerator: This is the least expensive but most labor-intensive method. It involves walking around your yard and manually pulling out soil plugs using a hand aerator. It’s best for small areas that need extra care and not entire yards (unless you’re into that kind of thing).

Prepping Your Yard

Before you aerate, it’s essential to prepare your yard. Mark all sprinkler heads with flags, and ensure the soil is damp by watering it the day before or the morning of. Be careful not to overwater, though, as too much moisture can cause the aerator to tear up your lawn instead of pulling clean plugs.

After Aerating

Once you’ve finished aerating, you’ll see small plugs of soil scattered across your lawn. Don’t worry about them—they’ll break down over the next few weeks and return nutrients to the soil. After aerating, it’s a great time to fertilize and water deeply to help the soil settle and promote healthy root growth. If it’s fall, you can overseed your lawn immediately after aerating to help thicken it for the next season.

Conclusion

Aeration is a simple yet effective way to improve the health and appearance of your lawn. By loosening compacted soil and allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots, you’ll create a thicker, greener, and more resilient yard. Happy aerating—and don’t forget to dance on the lawn when you’re done!