How to Aerate a Yellow Lawn in the Winter
A yellow lawn is a sign that the grass needs help. Protecting the grass from the damage that can occur from the sun or pet spraying is a year-long concern. Aerating the lawn opens the soil to be able to receive and use water and air. The lower roots benefit from periodic aeration, and they will use the water and air to build stronger and greener blades of grass. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Check to see if the ground is frozen by attempting to press a cultivator into the soil by hand. You cannot aerate a frozen lawn because the spikes will be unable to penetrate the surface of the soil and the soil will be unable to soak in water after the procedure.
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Rake the lawn with a garden rake to remove any sticks or rocks that would slow or prevent you from being able to effectively aerate the soil.
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Gather the debris collected by the raking and remove it from the lawn.
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Water the lawn with a garden hose and wait 24 hours to commence aerating the soil.
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Start at a corner of the lawn and walk behind the aerator in as straight of a line as the contours of your yard will allow to the edge of the grass.
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Turn and align the spikes of the aerator so that that they overlap the first path. Walk behind the aerator along the edge of the first path until you have reached the end of the lawn.
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Repeat the passes over the lawn until the entire yard has been aerated.
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Rake the lawn to break apart the remaining plugs left by the aerator.
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Tips & Warnings
Leave the plugs on the lawn or break them apart with a rake. Removing the plugs, while aesthetically beneficial, robs the lawn of the nutrients contained in the soil and can better be used by breaking the plugs into smaller clumps or leaving them to break up gradually.
Do not plant new grass seed in the winter. The temperature and amount of sunlight is not commonly sufficient for new grass growth. Wait until spring to plant new grass seed.
