Lawn aeration (pronounced "air"-ation" not "airy"-ation) is essential for improving and maintaining the health and vigor of both the lawn and the soil. Aerating relieves soil compaction, promotes root growth, controls thatch build-up, and improves water and nutrient access to the soil. Aeration holes create and ideal seed bed and can be done in conjunction with fall overseeding.
Aerating machines can be either hollow tine or solid tine. Hollow tine aerating pulls a plug from the turf and is the preferred method, but solid tine aerating is acceptable and better than not aerating at all. An aerating machine can be as big as a tow-behind tractor unit, or a more common walk behind machine, or as simple as spiked sandals used to walk around a small yard.
Aerating the lawn can be done by lawn care professionals or DIY by renting a machine from your local rental outlet. The plugs can be left on the lawn and will break up over the course of a few mowings. Core aerating also allows for soil amendments like sand, compost, or other topdressing to be worked into the soil profile.
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