What Time should Aeration be done?
Ideally a biannual process, a homeowner should consider both early spring and fall as the ideal times to aerate cooler season turf grass such as Kentucky bluegrass and perennial rye grass. In most cases, spring aeration is performed between the months of March and May depending on the location, turf grass species, and intensity of activities done upon it. Spring aeration is thought to be more effective than fall aeration due to the fact that the soil has been loosened by the winter’s repeating freezing and thawing cycles. These continuous shifts in temperature will force the soil to separate, allowing the aerator to be more effective.
Fall aeration is done in late summer and early fall, usually between August and
November. Aeration before or at the time of late season fertilization enhances root
growth responses and improves spring green-up and growth. Fall is the time when plants
grow their root zones to prepare for the winter months, allowing aeration to open up the
root zone and promote new, thicker growth. This helps the lawn throughout the winter
months as well as prepares it for the next spring growing season.
If you do choose to aerate your lawn, keep in mind that either season will promote root
growth and relieve compaction. You should also consider that when combined with
a fertilizer and water in fall aeration, the turf will recover much faster in the spring.
Likewise spring aeration combined with water and fertilizer will result in healthier grass
through the drier summer and give your lawn an advantage when the fall season comes
around. In areas where turf is thin aeration will thicken and improve the overall quality
of turf, but in areas with thick turf, it will loosen the soil in preparation for the natural
shifting of weather and season.