The frequency with which you should aerate your lawn depends primarily on soil type, lawn usage, and grass health, but general guidelines are as follows:
- Most lawns benefit from aeration every 1 to 5 years. The exact timing depends on factors like thatch buildup and soil compaction
- Lawns with heavy clay soil or high foot traffic may require aeration more frequently, possibly once or twice a year, because clay soils compact more easily and heavy use increases compaction
- Lawns with sandy or loamy soil and less traffic can often be aerated less frequently, such as every 3 to 5 years
- For average lawns with moderate traffic and typical soil, annual aeration is commonly recommended to maintain healthy root growth and nutrient absorption
- Aeration is best done during the growing season when grass can recover quickly-typically spring or fall depending on grass type
In summary, aerate your lawn:
- About once a year for most lawns,
- Twice a year for heavily used or clay-heavy soils,
- Every 3 to 5 years for sandy soils or low-traffic lawns.
Adjust frequency based on your lawn’s specific conditions such as soil compaction, thatch thickness, and usage patterns
