Here are the steps to do a primary lawn aeration job and why the effect is so impactful on a lawn

Practically any yard can improve with aeration when it is coordinated well and done correctly.

Why Aerating Helps Lawns

Grassroots need air, water, and nutrients to develop thick and full, which will turn into a lush lawn. 

Even somewhat, when the soil gets compacted, it restrains the progression of these basic steps needed to achieve this healthy and great look.  

A layer of compacted soil only 1/4 inches to 1/2 inches thick can have a critical effect on the proper development of the lawn. Air circulation results from the openings down in the dirt to reduce compaction so air, water, and supplements can feed the grassroots. 

When the soil gets compacted and is exposed to warm weather, and suffers low moisture levels, it is difficult for the grassroots to flourish under these conditions.

The lawn aeration process allows these fundamental basics of air, water, and nutrients to be absorbed into the soil resulting in an overall healthy and great-looking lawn.

When Lawns Need Aeration

For cool-season grasses found in most northern yards, late-summer or late winter are the best times for aerating those lawns. For warm-season grasses found in southern yards, the best and ideal time to aerate in late spring or early summer. 

These yearly timeframes in these specific regions ensure the optimal effectiveness of the lawn aeration process.

A couple of things to note here about the soil. Typically, a lawn aeration machine does not perform well in arid soil nor highly wet soil. So, be sure to take appropriate precautions by either having your customers water the lawn a day or two before or waiting a day or two later if the property is affected by rain or excessive watering. 

Determining When It’s Time to Aerate a Lawn

Types of grasses make a difference. Various types of grasses do better or flourish during specific periods of the year. The ideal time to aerate a lawn is when the lawn aeration process can most impact the grass/soil, and that will depend on the types of grass that make up the lawn. Be sure to identify the types of grass your customers’ yard has and identify the most appropriate time to aerate those lawns.

● Warm-season grasses like wild Buffalo, Bermuda, and St. Augustine are most thriving throughout the late spring. If a customer’s lawn has warm-season grass, it is ideal for aerating in the pre-summer to late spring. 

● Cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, and Ryegrass thrive the best in the fall when the temperature drops. Aerate these types of cool seasoned lawns either toward the finish of the late spring or the start of fall. Ensure you lawn aerate these yards early enough to allow the grass to recuperate from the air circulation at least a month before a winter storm hits.

Preparing to Aerate Your Yard

Decide on the type of lawn aerator to use. There are two types of aerators: power and manual. Pick the one that best fits your needs. 

● A power yard aerator is a gas-driven machine that is most effective for all yards. This sort of aerator utilizes a spike (or tines) framework to punch holes in the dirt or a coring framework that hauls fittings of soil out of the ground to allow water and supplement retention. If you don’t have the budget to purchase one of these machines, you can lease one from a home improvement store for little cost. 

● A manual yard aerator works more productively on smaller yards or intensely small areas of space. There are two kinds of manual yard aerators: a coring-style aerator that utilizes a chamber to eliminate soil plugs and a spike type that turns over patches of grass to embed openings without removing soil. Lawn care experts prefer the coring-style aeration unit as they work better for water and supplement retention.

Prep the yard for aeration. Lawn aerators work best on cleared, cut yards. Be sure to walk the property first, notating any steep inclines, rocks, or deep holes throughout the front and backyard. 

Of course, If customers have a sprinkler system, you will want to make sure you have the customers flag them first not to damage any of the sprinkler heads. 

● Rake heavy leaves, sticks, and other plant matter from the yard to ensure nothing interferes with the aeration process. 

● Make sure the yard is mowed beforehand to guarantee the aerator has good contact with the ground. Also, you will want to rake up and bag heavy grass clipping so as not to interfere with the lawn aerator’s performance.

Check the moisture level of the yard. If, by chance, your area has been dry recently, have the customer water your grass a couple of days before you aerate the yard to relax the dry soil. Most lawn aeration units are more productive on soft ground. 

Although some aerators perform better on somewhat dryer soil, when the ground is over-saturated, some of the riveting spikes or tines of the aerator may not be fully effective, causing some holes in the soil to seal shut. 

Always refer to the operator’s manual for the best conditions to operate the lawn aeration unit.  

Observe which areas of the yard are the most trafficked. Plan to go over those areas with your machine more than once to guarantee you adequately aerate that segment of the yard.

Aerating the Lawn

Start the process in one corner of the yard.  Begin by moving the lawn aeration unit from one side of the yard to the next in even columns, like a mowing pattern, until the entire region is aerated completely. 

● Try not to cover the whole yard more than once. If there are sections of the lawn that need additional circulation, then you might consider going over those areas again. 

● In case the yard requires further air circulation. Run the yard aerator the other way from the principal pass you took to expand air circulation. 

What to do after aeration

After you wrap your lawn aeration process, be sure to let the soil attachments or soil plugs remain in the yard. They will separate in the rain or disintegrate the following time you mow the lawn. These plugs add a small amount of healthy soil to the yard, which will make a visual difference in the lawn surface. 

By adding lawn aeration to your list of lawn care services, you will not only make quite a bit of extra money, but your customers will also notice the positive impact that it will make on their lawn.  

Lawn aeration can enhance a healthy and vibrant lawn that the customers will love.