If your lawn feels hard, drains poorly, or looks patchy no matter what you do, it’s probably time to aerate. Aeration breaks up compacted soil, improves root growth, and helps your lawn absorb water and nutrients more effectively.
At Keystone Green, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners revive their lawns through expert aeration. SCHEDULE YOUR FREE LAWN ASSESSMENT TODAY. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how, when, and why to aerate, so you can get better results to avoid wasting your time or money.
What Is Lawn Aeration?
Lawn aeration is the process of creating small holes in your soil to loosen compaction and allow air, water, and nutrients to reach your grass roots. Over time, soil becomes compacted from foot traffic, rain, and regular mowing. This makes it harder for roots to grow deep and strong.
By aerating your lawn, you give the roots room to breathe and grow, resulting in a thicker, healthier lawn that can better handle drought, heat, and heavy use.
What Does Aerating Your Lawn Do?
Aerating your lawn breaks up compacted soil so your grass roots can access the air, water, and nutrients they need. When soil is too dense, roots struggle to grow, and the lawn becomes thin, patchy, or stressed.
Here are some benefits of aerating your lawn:
- Improves water absorption and drainage
- Encourages deeper root growth
- Boosts fertilizer effectiveness
- Helps break down thatch buildup
- Prepares the soil for overseeding
There are different ways to aerate, but core aeration (removing plugs of soil) is the most effective method. Spike aeration (poking holes without removing soil) is cheaper but can actually make compaction worse over time.
When Should You Aerate Your Lawn?
The best time to aerate your lawn depends on your grass type.
- For cool-season grasses like fescue, rye, or Kentucky bluegrass, aim for early spring or early fall, when the grass is actively growing and can recover quickly.
- For warm-season grasses like Bermuda or zoysia, late spring to early summer is ideal. That’s when the grass is entering its peak growth phase and can make the most of the improved soil conditions.
Avoid aerating during extreme heat, drought, or when your lawn is dormant. Aerating at the wrong time won’t help, and can even stress your lawn further.
How Often Should You Aerate Your Lawn?
Most lawns only need aeration once a year. If you have healthy soil and moderate foot traffic, annual aeration is enough to keep things in good shape.
Lawns with compacted clay soil, heavy use, or visible thinning may need it twice a year, typically spring and fall for cool-season grasses or late spring and late summer for warm-season types.
The important thing is to watch for signs. If you see these signs, then it’s time to aerate.
- Water puddles or runoff after rain
- Thinning or yellowing grass despite regular care
- Soil feels hard and compacted
- Trouble inserting a screwdriver into the ground
- Heavy thatch layer (more than ½ inch)
How to Aerate Your Lawn Correctly
- Start by watering your lawn a day or two before aeration. The soil should be moist, not muddy. If it’s too dry, the aerator won’t penetrate deeply. If it’s soaked, you’ll damage the turf.
- Use a core aerator. It’s a machine that removes plugs of soil about 2–3 inches long. This is the most effective method for relieving compaction. Avoid spike aerators, especially on clay-heavy soil. They push soil sideways and just make compaction worse over time.
- Make two passes in different directions (north-south and east-west) if your soil is heavily compacted or gets a lot of foot traffic, like front yards, sports areas, or lawns used by pets and kids. For low-traffic areas or sandy soil, one pass is usually enough.
- After aerating, leave the soil plugs on the lawn. Don’t rake them up. They’ll decompose and return nutrients back into the soil.
What To Do After Aerating Your Lawn
Many homeowners stop after aerating their lawns. But this is actually the best time to go further. After aerating, your lawn is primed to absorb everything better.
If you’re overseeding, fertilizing, or applying compost, do it immediately after aerating. The open holes improve seed-to-soil contact and help nutrients get straight to the roots.
If you’re renting equipment, avoid cheap models that don’t pull full plugs. If you’re hiring a lawn care company, make sure they’re using commercial-grade core aerators and not rushing the job.
How Much Does Lawn Aeration Cost?
Lawn aeration typically costs between $75 and $250 for most residential properties, but the price can vary depending on your:
Lawn Size
The bigger the lawn, the higher the cost. A small suburban yard (under 5,000 sq ft) may only cost around $75–$100. A larger property (10,000–20,000 sq ft) can run $150–$250+.
Soil Condition
Heavily compacted clay soil or neglected lawns often require multiple passes, which takes more time and may increase the price.
Access and Layout
Open, flat yards are easier and more affordable to aerate. Lawns with slopes, fences, or tight corners take more effort and may cost more.
Aeration Type
Core aeration is more effective but also more labor-intensive than spike aeration. Professional services usually charge more for core aeration, and for good reason.
Add-On Services
Overseeding, fertilizing, or applying compost immediately after aeration improves results but adds to the cost. Expect bundled pricing if you’re adding those services.
Still Struggling to Get That Thick, Green Lawn?
There could be a dozen reasons why. It could be compacted soil, poor drainage, nutrient issues, or even thatch buildup. Our FREE LAWN ASSESSMENT takes the guesswork out by evaluating your soil, root health, grass condition, and more.
Stop wasting weekends trying to fix a lawn that needs professional help. With us, you’ll get clear answers and a customized treatment plan based on what your lawn actually needs.
Call us to book your free lawn checkup now. We serve customers in and around Pittsburgh, PA, including Fox Chapel, Cranberry Township, Wexford, Sewickley, Franklin Park, Indiana Township, and Allison Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk on my lawn after aeration?
Yes, but try to minimize foot traffic for a few days, especially if you overseed.
How long does it take to see results after aerating?
You may see improvements in 2–4 weeks if combined with seeding and fertilization. Long-term results build over the season.
Should I mow before or after aeration?
Mow your lawn before aeration, then wait 5–7 days after to mow again, especially if you’ve overseeded.
Can I aerate and overseed on the same day?
Yes, this is one of the best times to overseed. Aeration improves seed-to-soil contact for better germination.
What type of aerator should I use—spike or core?
Core aerators are more effective. Spike aerators can worsen compaction, especially in clay soils.