Lawn Aeration Guide: When, Why, and How to Aerate Your Lawn

Posted on August 8, 2025

The Homeowner’s Complete Guide to Lawn Aeration

Meta Description: Learn everything about lawn aeration, from why it’s essential to how and when to do it. Discover the best methods, tools, timing, and post-care to get thicker, healthier grass.

Your grass may get trampled underfoot by kids or pushed down by lawnmowers and other heavy equipment. Pretty soon, the soil is compacted, making it hard for water and nutrients to soak in or grass roots to thrive. That’s where lawn aeration from Fairway Lawns comes in!

Our liquid aeration services help you keep a vibrant, healthy lawn. It’s a foundational lawn care service that your grass needs! Keep reading to find out how to aerate your lawn, how often to aerate it, and so much more.

What Is Lawn Aeration?

Aerating your yard allows air, water, and nutrients to get to the roots, where they’re most needed. That’s what we call “aeration.” Your grass can’t “drink” properly when the soil is packed down. So you can think of aeration as unclogging a straw.

Aeration reduces compaction of the soil, which can be brought on by foot traffic, large machinery, or soil that contains a lot of clay. It also deals with thatch buildup, AKA the spongy layer of dead grass and roots that obstructs fertilizer and water like a thatched roof.

Some other, more detailed reasons why lawns need aeration?

Stronger roots. More oxygen = deeper roots that can survive summer droughts.
Better nutrient uptake. Fertilizer won’t just sit on top or wash into the street.
Less runoff. Water actually soaks in instead of creating mini-lakes on your lawn.
Fewer bald spots. Compacted soil kills grass faster than your dog’s favorite pee spot.
Healthier soil. Encourages earthworms and microbes that keep your lawn thriving and can lead to greener grass.

What Are the Different Types of Lawn Aeration?

Core aeration: Pulls out 3-4 inch plugs of soil. It’s messy but effective, especially for really compacted yards.
Spike aeration: Stabs holes without removing soil. Yes, this is better than nothing, but not ideal.
Liquid aeration: Sprays that loosen soil over time and don’t leave ugly plugs on the surface. It may be slower, but it often delivers more effective results.

Wondering about those soil plugs left behind with core aeration? Leave them right there! They’ll break down in a week or two, adding free nutrients back into your lawn.

When to Aerate Your Lawn

Core aeration is generally preferred for cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass) or lawns with severe compaction issues.
- Early spring (March–April). If possible, try to avoid aerating during weed-sprouting season.
- Early fall (September–November). This gives roots time to recover before winter.

Liquid aeration is usually recommended for warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine) or lawns with mild to moderate compaction issues.
- Late spring to early summer (April–June). The best time is right when these grasses are waking up.
- Early fall (September–October) as grass is putting down roots in slightly cooler soil.

As for how often to aerate your lawn…if your lawn gets heavy use (kids, pets, weekly barbecues) or you’ve got clay soil, aerate every year. Sandy soil or low-traffic yards? Once a year or even every two years is best.

Why Pair Core Aeration and Overseeding?

These two lawn care services work even better together. Here are three reasons why.

The seedbed effect. Those open soil channels become protected incubators for new grass seed. Better still, it’s safer from birds and the elements.
The deep root advantage. With compacted soil out of the way, young grass roots can stretch deep into the earth, creating a stronger superlawn.
The instant gratification factor. Aeration alone can take weeks to show results. But overseeding a lawn delivers visible improvements in as little as 10 days. Together, you can witness an entire change take place in about six weeks.

How to Aerate Your Lawn

About 24 hours before, you should mow your grass slightly shorter than usual, water deeply (soil should be moist but not soggy), remove debris or toys, and (for core aeration) mark sprinkler heads and dog fences.

The day of aeration: For core aeration, be sure to make overlapping passes in different directions (like mowing), aim for holes 3 inches apart and 2-3 inches deep. Ignore the urge to rake up the plugs. They’re fertilizer in disguise!

For liquid aeration, rake any matted areas, apply the solution evenly across your yard (during a cooler time of day when less will evaporate), and adjust the application based on your lawn’s response and needs.

After you aerate your lawn, water lightly for the next 2 weeks. Keep in mind that core aeration provides more of an opportunity to put down fertilizer or seed within 48 hours (your lawn’s extra “open” to nutrients). Lastly, avoid heavy foot traffic for a week.

Also, remember to avoid these common mistakes:

Don’t aerate dormant grass. You should wait until it’s actively growing.
Don’t use the wrong equipment. Lawn aerators are the best tools for this process.
Don’t skip overseeding after core aeration. Bare spots? This is your chance to fill them in.
Don’t use a spike aerator on clay soil. This just makes compaction worse.

DIY vs. Professional Aeration

DIY aeration might make sense if:

Your yard is small (under 5,000 sq ft)
You’re comfortable renting equipment or have prior experience
You want to pay less money but spend more time working
You enjoy a good workout (those machines are heavy!)

Call the pros at Fairway Lawns for liquid aeration services when:

You care about the overall healthy of your grass
Your yard is larger (over 5,000 sq ft)
Your lawn feels like a parking lot because it’s so hard
You’re dealing with serious thatch problems
You’d rather spend your weekend at a pool than pushing or spraying

FAQs About Lawn Aeration

Should I pick up the plugs caused by core aeration?

No need! They’ll decompose and add nutrients to the grass.

Is liquid aeration effective?

Yes! It’s a more convenient option that’s designed specifically to improve your soil structure without the unsightly mess of plugs.

How often should I aerate my lawn?

It depends on the level of foot traffic and soil type, but we generally recommend annual aeration.

Is aeration worth the cost?

Yes, especially because it improves the long-term health of your turf.

Can I fertilize and overseed on the same day?

Yes. This is actually even more beneficial after core aeration.

Can liquid aeration damage my lawn?

Not if it’s done in the correct season and on non-dormant grass.

Want a Healthier Lawn? Contact Us Today!

If your yard is as hard as a rock, it’s probably time to aerate. This essential process creates healthier soil, more resilient roots, improved nutrient uptake, and more. Get in touch with Fairway Lawns to schedule a liquid lawn aeration performed by expert technicians.

We proudly serve seven states and dozens of communities, ensuring high-quality lawn care and pest control services across the South: