Lawn Aeration Explained

Aeration is the process of puncturing the soil in a yard to improve its access to air, water, and other nutrients that support the root structure of grass. A great way to improve yard health — especially following periods of drought, overwatering, or lots of foot traffic — aeration is a critical part of effective lawn care, as the perforations in the soil improve soil drainage and boost the activity of worms that add helpful nutrients to the earth.

Knowing when it’s the best time to aerate a Minnesota lawn can be tricky, but continue reading to learn more about aeration, along with general best practices that will help you make the most of your outdoor spaces.

What Does Lawn Aeration Do?

• Reduces the amount of compacted soil below your lawn. Compacted soil is bad for your yard because it prevents vital resources from circulating correctly, essentially strangling plants’ roots.
• Controls lawn thatch. Thatch is a compressed layer of stems, leaves, and other dead organic tissue that naturally build up over time. If too much thatch forms, it prevents resource circulation – just like in tightly compacted soil. A common occurrence in residential and commercial lawns, thatch needs to be monitored year-round and can be especially problematic coming out of Minnesota winters.

When to Aerate Your Lawn in Minnesota

Aeration should be done at least once annually, but the best time to aerate your lawn is once in the spring and once in the fall. This is because aerating your lawn during the transitional seasons leaves good opportunities for roots to strengthen and prepare for the seasons ahead, whether it be summer or winter. When you do choose to aerate your lawn, make sure the lawn is not super wet or excessively dry. If the lawn is too wet, it will clog the aerator. If your lawn is too dry, you will only expose the soil to extra stress and risk further dehydration.

After your lawn is aerated, you can either leave the soil cores where they fall or rake them into a compost pile. One decision doesn’t take precedence over the other because the cores will decompose no matter what

Enhance Your Outdoor Spaces with Green Stuff Lawn

If you want service from an expert or aren’t interested in renting or investing in aeration equipment, Green Stuff Lawn offers Twin Cities area home and business owners core aeration services. Get your lawn the nourishment it needs to ensure your outdoor spaces always look their best. Contact us for a consultation.