Aerate Lawn Process
Lawns are routinely aerated to loosen the thatch layer and soil compaction and improve the movement of water and fertilizers through the soil. The best way to aerate the lawn is with a machine known as a core aerator, available for rent at large home and garden centers and equipment rental yards. The core aerator removes plugs of soil and turf. Lawns should be aerated at least once a year. Northern gardeners should aerate the lawn in August while those in the south should perform the task in the spring. Not all core aerators are the same so ask the gardening center representative to show you how to work the controls and how to turn, reverse and stop the machine. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Mow the lawn to 1 inch in height. Mark the location of sprinkler heads so that you don't accidentally hit them with the aerator.
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Water the lawn the day before you plan to aerate it. The top 4 inches of soil need to be wet. To determine if you've watered enough, insert a screwdriver 4 inches into the soil. It should slide easily to a depth of 4 inches. If it doesn't, keep watering until it does.
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Use the core aerator to plug 20 to 40 holes per square foot of lawn. This will require two or more passes over the lawn. Allow the plugs to remain on the lawn.
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Rake the lawn to break up the plugs. They will eventually work their way back into the soil.
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