Often times we find that when talking with homeowners they may not know the overall benefits of aeration, or even the best time to aerate your Raleigh-Durham lawn. So we hope to add a little light to the topic and hopefully answer questions like “when is the best time to aerate” or “what are the benefits of aeration?”
What are the benefits of aeration?
Core aeration creates holes in the soil that allow more air, water, and nutrients to reach deeper, which promotes healthy root growth of your lawn. Aeration also has additional benefits
- Making seeding more effective, allowing for better seed-to-soil contact and better germination & growth.
- Protecting plants from diseases and pathogens that are caused by poor aeration.
Increasing the activity of beneficial microorganisms in the soil that promote plant health. - Preventing fertilizer and pesticides from running off due to soil compaction.
When should I aerate my lawn?
Knowing when to aerate your turf will provide you with the proper knowledge so you know when to contact your lawn care professionals. While late summer/early fall is the best time to aerate your lawn, spring is the second-best time. Additionally, different turf types have different characteristics in regards to aeration.
We recommend aeration in late summer and seeding in the fall before the turf becomes dormant in the winter months. This is because here in North Carolina, the soil stays warm into November, meaning the roots will continue to grow. Aerating your grass in the fall revitalizes it before dormancy, making new seedlings better equipped to handle chilly winters and setting your lawn up to thrive when next spring arrives!
