Can you aerate lawn too much

Waiting until a day or two after a rain is a perfect time to aerate your lawn. Click here to learn more! To aerate your lawn, you can either buy or lease equipment that helps get the job done, or you can hire a company to do the job for you.

Either way, the process is usually simple, fast, and inexpensive. Should you buy or rent a lawn aerator? Click here to find out whether it's better to buy or rent! The simple answer to this question is yes, you can over-aerate your lawn. If your lawn is healthy, aerating once a year is enough to keep it healthy. If you have a lot of compacted soil and thatch, you can aerate it twice a year.

This may not sound like a lot for unhealthy soil, but if you aerate more than once or twice a year, it can actually damage the soil. The soil may not react to rain, mowing the lawn, and grass nutrients like it should.

That being said, it is actually rather difficult to over-aerate your lawn. This also helps your grass effectively fight against weeds and competitive grasses like crabgrass that you want to avoid in the coming spring of next year. The Spring Alternative If you aren't planning on much overseeding or if you have particularly cold autumn seasons and hot summer seasons in your area, you may want to plan on spring aeration instead. The best time here is anywhere between March and June, but preferably sometime in April.

Here your goal is similar: Give your grass time to readjust and be ready for the harsh summer and cold fall or winter seasons.

Note that there are several different ways to aerate your yard, including hand aerators, tow aerators, liquid versions, and more. You agree that BobVila. All rights reserved. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY.

Need a hand? Some jobs are better left to the pros. Receive free, no-commitment estimate from licensed lawn service professionals near you. Utility Engines. Snow Blower Engines. Portable Generators.

Commercial Generators. Home Generators. Pressure Washers. Snow Blowers. Lawn Mower Maintenance. Engine Parts. Equipment Parts. Parts Lookup Tool. Owner Support. Register Product. Locate Model Number. Dealer Locator. Maintenance How-To. Warranty Information. Vocational Education. Your lawn is probably a good candidate for aeration if it: Gets heavy use, such as serving as the neighborhood playground or racetrack. Children and pets running around the yard contribute to soil compaction.