You should aerate your lawn based on the type of grass you have and the season that best supports its growth:
- For cool-season grasses (common in northern lawns), the best time to aerate is generally early fall or early spring. Early fall to early October is ideal because the cooler temperatures and moist soil help the grass recover and absorb nutrients better. Soil temperatures should ideally be between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit for good seed germination and root growth.
- For warm-season grasses (common in southern lawns), the best time to aerate is in late spring to early summer. This timing coincides with active growth when soil temperatures are between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures quick recovery and helps the grass establish deep roots.
Additional tips:
- Aerate when the soil is moist but not overly wet or frozen.
- Avoid aerating when the lawn is dormant or during extreme heat or drought.
- Heavy foot traffic, compacted soil, thick thatch, or puddling are signs that aeration may be needed sooner.
- Typically, aerating once a year is sufficient, but lawns with clay soil or heavy use may benefit from more frequent aeration.
In summary, aerate cool-season grasses in early fall or spring, and warm- season grasses in late spring to early summer, aligning with their peak growing periods for best results.
