Quick answer
It is generally recommended to water your lawn before aerating it. Watering helps soften the soil and makes it easier for the aerator tines to penetrate the ground. It also prevents soil compaction and allows the aerator to pull better soil cores. Most experts advise watering 1-2 days before aerating to moisten the soil to a depth of 4-6 inches.
What is lawn aeration?
Lawn aeration is the process of removing small plugs of soil from the lawn to create holes. It improves airflow, drainage and allows better penetration of water, nutrients and oxygen into the grass roots.
Aeration helps reduce soil compaction which is the compression of soil particles that prevents proper circulation of air, water and nutrients within the soil. Soil compaction occurs due to high foot traffic, heavy mowing equipment, erosion, lack of earthworms etc.
Aeration opens up the lawn for movement of air, water and nutrients to the grass roots. It encourages deep root growth for a thicker, greener lawn.
Benefits of aerating the lawn
- Alleviates soil compaction
- Enhances air circulation in the soil
- Improves drainage and reduces water runoff
- Allows better nutrient absorption
- Encourages deeper root growth
- Reduces soil erosion
- Improves resistance to heat and drought
- Enhances effectiveness of fertilization
- Creates better conditions for grass growth
- Improves overall lawn health
When to aerate the lawn?
The best time to aerate cool season grasses like bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass is during the active growing season – spring and fall. The ideal soil temperature for aerating these grasses is 55-65°F. Avoid aerating in summer when cool season grasses are under heat stress.
Warm season grasses like Bermuda, zoysia and St. Augustine can be aerated in spring, summer or early fall when they are actively growing. Their ideal soil temperature for aerating is 65-75°F.
It’s recommended to aerate at least once a year, preferably in early fall. High traffic areas may require additional aeration in spring. Let the grass recover completely before the next aeration.
Should you water before aerating?
Watering the lawn prior to aerating is highly recommended by most experts. Here are some key reasons why:
1. Softens lawn soil
Dry, compacted soil is difficult for the aerator tines to penetrate. Watering before aerating helps soften the soil so that the tines can easily remove plugs of soil and create holes.
2. Prevents further soil compaction
Trying to aerate dry, hard soil can compress it further. Watering loosens up the soil structure so the tines don’t force the soil particles tighter. It allows easy removal of cores without excessive compaction.
3. Allows better penetration
Moist soil is easier for the tines to penetrate compared to hard, parched ground. Proper watering permits the tines to plunge deeper and extract longer soil cores for improving aeration.
4. Produces larger soil cores
With moistened soil, the tines can remove intact 4-6 inch long plugs. Longer cores are more beneficial as they create deeper holes for enhanced air and water circulation.
5. Minimizes turf damage
Aerating dry compacted soil forces the tines to cut through the turf grass rather than loosen and remove plugs. This can tear up and damage the turf. Proper watering prevents damage to the turf.
6. Allows equipment to function optimally
When the soil is moistened beforehand, aerators work smoothly and efficiently extracting complete soil cores. There is less strain on the equipment compared to aerating dry rough ground.
7. Promotes quick recovery
Aerating moistened soil puts less stress on the turfgrass. The holes close faster allowing the lawn to heal and fill in quicker after the aeration.
How much watering is needed before aerating?
About 1 to 2 days before aerating, water your lawn thoroughly to moisten the soil to a depth of 4-6 inches where the grass roots grow. This allows the tines easy access to extract soil cores without tearing or damaging the turf.
Applying 1 to 1.5 inches of water using a sprinkler system or irrigation controller is typically sufficient before aerating. Use a moisture probe, screwdriver or shovel to check depth of moisture after watering. The soil should be damp not soaked.
Excessive watering can lead to soil compaction. Also avoid watering immediately before aerating as overly wet soil tends to stick to the tines clogging the holes. Let the water soak in for a day or two before aerating.
Watering tips before aerating
- Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation loss.
- Split the watering into 2 or 3 cycles spaced 30 mins apart to prevent runoff.
- Inspect sprinkler coverage and fix any issues to ensure uniform watering.
- Account for rainfall when scheduling watering.
- Consider soil type (clay soils retain more moisture than sandy soils).
- Visually monitor if walkways are wet to avoid overwatering.
Should you water immediately after aerating?
It’s recommended to water lightly soon after finishing the aeration especially in hot, dry conditions. A light sprinkling helps settle the soil cores back into the holes. The small amount of water allows the cores to decompose faster.
However avoid excessive watering immediately after as it can lead to washing away of the soil plugs before they decompose. Let the cores dry partially before watering the lawn again. Resume normal watering in 2-4 days to allow the aerated holes to stabilize.
Aerating without pre-watering
While pre-watering is best, sometimes aerating without watering may be unavoidable due to an abrupt change in schedule or lack of irrigation system. Here are some tips if aerating without pre-watering:
- Use a liquid aerator like sea kelp the day before to help soften soil.
- Choose a walk-behind aerator for small yards – less strain on soil.
- If using a core aerator adjust tines for shallower penetration in hard soil to minimize turf damage.
- Set mower blades high 2-3 days before to cushion impact if using a spike aerator.
- Avoid aerating if soil is extremely dry and hard. Wait until some rain or irrigation.
- Water lightly soon after aerating to settle cores back into holes.
- Topdress with 1/4 inch compost to aid recovery after aerating dry soil.
While lawn aerators can work on dry ground, pre-watering makes the job easier. It reduces soil compaction, minimizes turf damage and accelerates recovery of the grass.
Conclusion
Watering the lawn before aerating offers a host of benefits like easier tine penetration, improved nutrient circulation, minimized turf damage and faster lawn recovery. Most experts recommend watering the grass 1-2 days before aerating to a depth of 4-6 inches. This adequately moistens the soil for extracting complete long cores while preventing overwatering. Proper pre-watering allows aerators to function optimally and delivers better aeration. It results in a healthy well-aerated lawn.