How to
Aerate a Lawn

Autumn is the ideal time to aerate your lawn as the soil is both moist and warm and allows you to give it a much-needed boost before temperatures plunge.

Aeration is simply another name for spiking your soil, allowing water and air to penetrate deeply into the grass root zone. Many lawns suffer from compaction – when they get walked on several times a day over a period of months, the soil compacts, resulting in oxygen being unable to get to the roots. By spiking, or aerating the lawn, you encourage airflow whilst allowing water and nutrients to get to where the grass needs it the most.

There are a few tell-tale signs that your lawn is compacted and could benefit from being aerated:

• It gets heavy use, such as frequent activity from children or pets.
• Water pooling in low areas or running away quickly from high areas.
• Your plants have stunted growth.
• Trees in your lawn have shallow roots.
• Browning and thinning areas of grass.
• Increased growth of thatch.
• You’re unable to pierce the surface of the soil with a spade.

For starters, here are few helpful tips to remember before beginning the aeration process.

• We recommend you aerate after a period of rainfall, so the soil is soft and workable.
• If the weather has been dry, we recommend you water the lawn thoroughly the day before treatment.
• Mow the grass beforehand to kill off any weeds.

Ensure the surface is clear of debris, moss, and thatch.

• Using a garden fork or aerating tool, create holes in your lawn, ensuring the holes are spaced 10 - 15 cm apart.
• Use two litres of lawn dressing per square metre of lawn, scattering it evenly throughout.
• Use a hard garden brush to push the lawn dressing into the holes that you created.
• Take particular care to water, fertilise and mow back the grass regularly afterwards.

Job done! Sit back and reap the benefits of having a strong and healthy-looking lawn.