What is lawn aeration?
Aeration is the process of inserting small holes in the ground with the aim of improving drainage to prevent water-logging of the roots, aid air circulation and help improve nutrient uptake.
Aerating your lawn can break through the thatch layer which is the layer of intermingled dead and living stems, roots and leaves that builds between the layer of growing grass and soil underneath.
When to aerate the lawn
The best time for lawn aeration in the UK is autumn or spring. This is when the soil is mostly likely to be moist and ready for a treatment.
Keep in mind that the weather in the UK varies a great deal and aeration is very condition dependent. Never aerate when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. If it is too wet then the holes will not let water and air through as the sides of the holes will quickly seal up.
New lawns should be aerated once a year as they have a less mature root system, and although aerating helps them develop and grow you need to wait for the grass to be stronger to cope with this. Those with hard or clay soil should be aerated twice a year as they are more susceptible to compaction. For all other types of soil and lawn you should aerate at least every 2 years, but more frequently if the grass is looking unhealthy or not growing well.
Types of aerator
There are 2 different types of soil aeration and a number of different tools to use for aerating your lawn. Which one you choose can depend on the size of your lawn, your budget and the condition of your grass. Below is my guide to the different types of aeration and aerators.