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Q: When do I aerate my lawn?
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Aerate When Itīs Needed
Most lawns only need aeration when compacted soil becomes a problem. They donīt need to be aerated twice a year. Soil compaction can become a problem if your lawn receives a lot of foot or vehicle traffic. The problem is likely to arise sooner if you have a soil with lots of clay. Soils that are sandy and richer in organic content do not compact as easily, but they too can become compacted if the traffic is heavy enough. If you have problems with nightcrawler mounds and irrigation water seems to run off rather than percolate into the soil, compaction may be the problem and aeration may be called for. If you cannot shove a large screwdriver into the soil on a relatively dry day, aeration is probably warranted. Have your lawn aerated only in the fall. Spring aeration exposes a lot of bare soil to warm season weed seeds like crabgrass. For best results, follow the aeration with a light topdressing of compost, spread no thicker than 3/8" thick (1/4" or less on hybrid bermuda lawns).
Spring or Fall?
Fall is usually the best time to aerate. The reason for this is that aeration usually exposes a lot of soil. Doing so in spring means exposing soil to warm season weed seeds like crabgrass. Crabgrass needs both heat and light to germinate. Once it does, it can quickly dominate a lawn with so much bare soil to work with. Crabgrass and other warm season weeds typically die off with the first frost. If you aerate in the fall, you may still get some warm season invaders, but the upcoming cool weather will take care of them.
