If This Spring, When Should You Aerate Your Lawn?
When your grass is actively growing, it should be aerated. Considerably straightforward, wouldn’t you say? It is a little trickier, though, because different varieties of grass have different active growing phases. Both spring and fall are the best periods to aerate cool-season grasses. For warm-season grasses, however, spring through summer are the best months. You can decide when to aerate your lawn this spring by understanding the types of grass you have and when each type needs to be done.
Warm Versus Cool Season Grass
The timing of each type’s active growth is the primary distinction between warm-season and cool-season grass. Warm-season grasses actively grow from April to October in the majority of the United States. Because they can withstand both heat and drought, warm-season grasses are perfect for hotter climes. Most warm-season grasses will hibernate throughout the cooler months, becoming brown or yellow until the warmer temperatures return. On the other hand, cool-season grasses are perfect for regions that have both hot summers and chilly winters. These grasses can go dormant in the hottest months and grow most vigorously in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild. Here is a complete list of warm- and cool-season grass kinds. You can have a look at it by visiting here.
When to Aerate Warm-Season Grass
By loosening the dirt and thatch on a lawn, aeration improves the flow of water and nutrients to the grass’s roots. The overall health of the grass will be enhanced and it will be able to grow more quickly. The spring and summer seasons are the ideal times to aerate warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Buffalo, and Zoysia kinds. This coincides with these grasses’ busiest growing season.
When to Aerate Cool-Season Grass
The optimum times to aerate cool-season grasses, such as Ryegrass, Fescue, and Kentucky Bluegrass, are every spring and fall. These grasses can become dormant in the summer and are actively growing during the seasons with more temperate temperatures. Therefore, it’s critical to aerate while the roots are still growing for the desired healthy, green grass.
How Frequently Should You Aerate Your Lawn?
Aeration should generally be done once a year for most residential lawns. A single annual aeration should be sufficient to promote healthy grass development throughout the growing season, provided that you aerate at roughly the same time each year. However, until healthy growth is restored, you might need to aerate your lawn twice a year if it receives a lot of foot activity or if the grass simply doesn’t appear to thrive throughout the year.
When Your Lawn Needs Aeration and How to Tell
There are several signs that grass needs to be aerated. Aeration should be a regular part of your annual yard preparation and/or cleanup. Additionally, keep an eye out for indications that water is not penetrating the soil sufficiently. When your soil is compacted, water cannot penetrate to the roots of your lawn and puddles form after watering or the ground looks to dry out quickly. Additional warning signs include the presence of brown or dead patches, thin and lifeless grass, or grass that just doesn’t seem to grow as much (if at all). These could all be symptoms of compacted soil, which is best remedied by routine aeration.
When Not to Aerate Your Lawn
It’s crucial to know when to aerate your grass, but it’s just as essential to understand when to avoid doing so. It is never a good idea to aerate a lawn when the grass is dormant since it could expose your lawn to weed growth or other issues. Additionally, you ought to refrain from aerating while your lawn is damp or has enough moisture on it to be muddy. The greatest time to schedule an aeration service is while the grass is actively growing, despite the temptation to aerate before the warm weather arrives.
Get Professional Lawn Aeration Advice
As you can see, the number of distinct elements determines whether it is appropriate to aerate. It might be challenging to identify what is best for your lawn type and environment, even with solid information. The Grounds Guys, however, are here to assist! Our high-quality aeration treatments can help your lawn achieve its full potential for luscious greenness. Learn more about our complete offering of residential landscaping services by visiting us here.
