Best Time to Aerate Your Lawn: A Seasonal Guide for Healthier Grass

While there are different ways to aerate your lawn, not all methods deliver the same long-term results — and some may actually do more harm than good. At TruGreen, we exclusively provide Core Aeration, the most effective method for improving soil health, relieving compaction and supporting strong root systems.

Here’s how core aeration compares to other common methods:

Core Aeration

• How it works: Removes small plugs of soil from the lawn using a specialized machine.
• Pros: Long-term benefits, effective at relieving compaction, creates a perfect seedbed for overseeding.
• Cons: Slightly more labor-intensive.

TruGreen Tip: This is the method we use — and recommend — for the best results.

Spike Aeration

• How it works: Punches holes into the soil using solid metal spikes or tines.
• Pros: Easy for DIYers.
• Cons: Doesn’t remove soil; may actually increase compaction over time.

Note: TruGreen does not offer spike aeration because it doesn’t effectively address soil health.

Liquid Aeration

• How it works: Applies wetting agents or surfactants to the lawn, sometimes with added nutrients.
• Pros: May provide a temporary green-up.
• Cons: Not a recognized turf management practice; minimal long-term impact.

Note: While you may see quick results, TruGreen does not recommend or provide liquid aeration due to its limited benefits.

When it comes to lasting results and a healthier lawn, core aeration is the gold standard — and it’s the only aeration method TruGreen offers. 

7 Benefits of Lawn Aeration: Why You Should Core Aerate Your Lawn

Core aeration provides numerous benefits for your lawn, making it an essential part of regular lawn care. Here are the top seven reasons why you should consider aerating your lawn:

1. Relieves Soil Compaction: Soil compaction restricts air, water and nutrients from reaching the grass roots. Core aeration removes plugs of compacted soil, reducing compaction and improving soil structure.
2. Improves Air, Water and Nutrient Flow: With the soil loosened, air, water and nutrients can penetrate deeper into the soil, providing the grass roots with what they need to grow strong.
3. Reduces Water Runoff and Puddling: By breaking up compacted soil, aeration helps water absorb more evenly, preventing runoff and puddles that can damage your lawn.
4. Enhances Root Growth: Deeper, stronger roots make your grass more resilient to stress, like drought or heavy foot traffic.
5. Breaks Up Thatch Buildup: Excessive thatch can prevent moisture and nutrients from reaching the soil. Aeration helps remove some of this thatch, promoting a healthier lawn.
6. Boosts Fertilizer Effectiveness: Aeration improves the soil’s ability to absorb fertilizer, allowing the nutrients to reach the roots where they’re needed most.
7. Encourages Stronger, Greener Turf: All of these benefits come together to produce a lush, healthy lawn that’s more resistant to disease, pests and environmental stresses. 

When Is the Best Time to Aerate Your Lawn?

Timing is crucial when it comes to aerating your lawn. The best time to aerate depends on the type of grass you have:

• Cool-Season Grasses: These grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass, thrive in cooler temperatures. The ideal time to aerate is late summer or early fall, with fall being the preferred season because it allows the lawn to recover before winter.
• Warm-Season Grasses: These grasses, including Bermuda grass, St. Augustine and Zoysia, grow best in warm weather. For warm-season grasses, late spring to early summer is the best time to aerate, as this is when they are actively growing.

Expert Tip: Aerate when the turf is actively growing so it can heal quickly and fill in.

When Should You Avoid Aerating Your Lawn?

Avoid aerating during dormancy or extreme weather conditions. For instance:

• Winter: Grass is dormant and will not recover from aeration.
• Summer (for cool-season grasses): Aeration can stress the grass during the heat of summer.

Factors That Affect Aeration Frequency

Your lawn’s aeration needs may vary depending on several factors:

• Soil Type: Lawns with clay-heavy soil often require more frequent aeration than those with sandy soils, as clay compacts more easily.
• Foot Traffic: Lawns with heavy foot traffic, such as those in play areas or near pathways, can become compacted faster and may require more frequent aeration.
• Climate: Moisture levels, freeze-thaw cycles and other regional climate factors can influence compaction and the need for aeration. 

How Often Should You Aerate Your Lawn?

As a general rule, most lawns only need aeration once a year. That’s typically enough to relieve compacted soil, promote healthy root growth and keep your grass looking lush. However, if you have clay soil or areas that experience heavy foot traffic, you may benefit from aerating twice per year.

That said, more isn’t always better. Aeration is not a “the more, the merrier” kind of lawn care tactic. Over-aerating can actually do more harm than good by stressing the turf or damaging grass roots.  

Curious about the tools used to get the job done? Check out our aeration equipment guide for everything you need to know about core aerators and more.

Can You Hurt or Damage Your Lawn with Over Aeration?

Yes — over-aerating your lawn can do more harm than good. While aeration is an important part of lawn care, too much of it can stress your turf and disturb grass roots unnecessarily. Repeatedly disrupting the soil can hinder your lawn’s ability to bounce back and may even encourage weed growth by creating openings for invasive species to take hold.

Your lawn needs time to adjust and regrow after aeration. Giving it space to heal between aeration cycles is essential to ensure the process does what it’s supposed to do — support a stronger, healthier lawn. Pairing aeration with proper post-aeration care will help create the ideal environment for deep root development and vibrant growth.

TruGreen’s Lawn Aeration Services: Let the Experts Handle It

When it comes to aeration, timing and technique matter — and that’s where TruGreen comes in. Our lawn care experts take the guesswork out of the process by assessing your lawn’s soil condition, grass type and overall health to determine the right approach.

We use Core Aeration, the gold standard for promoting soil health, relieving compaction and encouraging deeper root growth. With professional service, you avoid common DIY mistakes like over-aerating or aerating at the wrong time of year. Plus, we provide guidance on post-aeration care to help your lawn recover and thrive.

Want a lush, healthy lawn without the hassle? Explore TruGreen’s aeration services and leave it to the pros.