AERATION
Aerating offers several benefits to your lawn. Core aeration provides an avenue for water, nutrients, and oxygen to get to the root zone. Aerating your lawn helps reduce thatch accumulation and alleviate compaction.
When is the best time to aerate?
For Cool-Season Grasses
These grasses thrive in cooler temperatures and are common in the northern U.S. and in higher elevations.
Examples: Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue.
Best Time: Early Fall (Late August through October)
Why: This is the ideal window. The cool weather is perfect for growth, and aerating at this time helps the grass recover from summer stress and compete against weeds (like chickweed and poa annua) that germinate in fall. The open soil is also perfect for overseeding.
Secondary Option: Early Spring (Late March to May). This can be beneficial, but it can also expose the soil to weed seeds that germinate in spring. Fall is generally preferred.
