Core aerate compacted soils in fall rather than spring

What to Do

If your soil is compacted (screwdriver test fails at 4-6 inches), schedule core aeration for early fall (September for cool-season grasses) rather than spring. If aeration is critical, spring is acceptable but fall is preferred.

Why It Works

Core aeration pulls plugs of soil out, relieving compaction and allowing water, air, and nutrients to reach the root zone. Fall timing is preferred for cool-season lawns because the grass recovers quickly in the cool, moist fall weather and fills in the holes before winter. Spring aeration can invite weed seeds into the open holes.

Tips

• Aerate when soil is moist but not waterlogged — the tines need to penetrate fully.
• Rent a core aerator ($50-80/day) or hire a lawn service ($50-100 for an average lawn).
• Leave the soil plugs on the surface — they break down naturally in 2-3 weeks.
• Aerate warm-season lawns in late spring to early summer during their active growth.