Lawn Aeration 101: How to Aerate Your Lawn

Imagine stepping onto a thick, healthy lawn so soft your footprints gently press into the grass — no puddles, no crunch, just lush, vibrant turf. Achieving that kind of lawn takes more than luck — it takes the right combination of care, and aeration is an essential step in the process. This simple practice helps your grass thrive from the ground up.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to aerate your lawn, when to do it based on your grass type and what to do afterward to get the best results. You’ll also see why homeowners across the country trust TruGreen’s lawn care experts to take the guesswork — and heavy lifting — out of the process.

From the best time to aerate to the difference between DIY and professional tools, we’ve got your questions covered. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to get your lawn in shape — or how TruGreen can do it for you. 

Do you need to aerate your lawn? Yes! But why?

Lawn aeration is the process of perforating the soil with small holes so air, water and nutrients can reach the grass roots where they’re needed most. These openings give roots room to breathe, improving their ability to absorb moisture and fertilizer while relieving compacted soil that can block healthy growth.

Think of compacted soil like a brick — dense, unyielding and tough on roots. By using a specialized aerator to pull plugs of soil from the ground, you instantly loosen that structure, making it easier for oxygen, water and beneficial microbes to circulate. It also gives lawn roots the room needed to grow vigorously.  The result? A healthier, thicker lawn that drains more efficiently and stands up better for everyday use.

Homeowners typically consider two main types of aeration:

Core Aeration: This method uses a machine equipped with hollow tines to remove small plugs of soil, usually two to three inches deep. Core aeration breaks up thatch, relieves compaction and creates lasting channels that allow nutrients to reach the roots. It’s the approach TruGreen professionals rely on — because unlike spike aeration and liquid aeration - it consistently delivers visible, long-term results.

Spike Aeration: This method uses solid tines or spikes to poke holes into the lawn without removing soil. While it may seem quick and convenient, spike aeration can actually push soil sideways, increasing compaction around the holes. It’s generally considered a short-term fix rather than a lasting solution.

Not sure if it is time to aerate lawn areas around your home? Watch for these red flags:

• Water puddles on the grass after a moderate rain
• Grass looks thin or dull despite regular watering
• Soil feels rock hard when you try to push a screwdriver into it
• Heavy clay soil or frequent vehicle and foot traffic has packed the ground tight
• A half inch or more of spongy lawn thatch builds up on top of the soil 

Once your lawn is aerated and dotted with fresh holes and soil plugs, it’s the perfect time to support deeper root growth and long-term turf health. With the right aftercare, you’ll start seeing a thicker, greener lawn in just a few weeks.

• Water consistently: Lightly water once or twice a day for the first 3-5 days. Gentle, frequent watering helps soften compacted soil, encourages root expansion and ensures nutrients reach deep into the new channels.
• Leave the plugs in place: As they break down, soil plugs act as a natural topdressing — redistributing nutrients and beneficial microbes and reducing compaction even further. Raking them up removes these easy lawn boosters.
• Seed and fertilize: Aeration opens ideal conditions for overseeding and applying fertilizer. Seed settles into the holes for better germination and protection, while a balanced fertilizer delivers essential nutrients to both new and existing roots. TruGreen recommends choosing a product matched to your grass type and season.
• Pause mowing: If you’re overseeding, hold off on mowing for at least one week — two if possible. This allows new seedlings to establish and prevents mower wheels from re-compacting the soil or disturbing early growth. However, if you’re just aerating, you can mow immediately. This will help to break up the cores. However, it can dull mower blades, so that’s something to watch out for. 

Doing your own lawn aeration can be satisfying and budget-friendly — especially if you have a small yard and minimal compaction. Renting a core aerator gives you flexibility and may save money compared to a one-time professional service.

But DIY comes with challenges:

• Time and effort: Aerators are heavy and can be difficult to use on slopes or in tight areas.
• Precision required: You’ll need to overlap your passes, maintain a steady speed and ensure tines reach 2-3 inches deep for real results.
• Rental machine limits: Equipment may be worn or inconsistent, reducing the quality of the aeration.
• Extra costs: Fuel, delivery, wear-and-tear and your own time all add up.

Professional aeration services eliminate guesswork. TruGreen’s specialists use commercial-grade core aerators to remove thousands of soil plugs across your lawn, even in tough soil conditions.

When should you choose TruGreen over a DIY approach?

• You manage a large or heavily trafficked yard where multiple passes would take a full day.
• The lawn sits on clay soil that resists household machines.
• You want to combine aeration with overseeding or fertilization in a single visit.
• You prefer expert monitoring and support.