How Often Should You Aerate Your Lawn?
Once a Year for Most Yards Around Here
We sit on heavy clay in DeSoto County, and most new subdivisions had the good topsoil scraped off and sold before the sod went down. That combination packs hard.
For most bermuda lawns here, once a year in the growing season is right. Some yards want it twice. A few genuinely do not need it. Here is how to tell which one you have got.
How to Tell What Your Yard Needs
Two of these you can check yourself in about a minute.
The Screwdriver Test
Push a long screwdriver into the lawn a day after a good rain. If it goes in easy you are fine. If you are leaning on it, that ground is packed and you need to pull plugs.
Water Sitting on Top
If water runs off or puddles instead of soaking in, the surface is sealed. That is compaction, and no amount of fertilizer gets through it.
New Construction, Every Year
If your house is newer than about 2010, plan on it annually for a good while. Graded lots are the worst compaction we see, and it takes years of soil work to bring one back.
Dogs, Kids and Parking
Play areas, fence lines the dog patrols, and anywhere a truck or trailer parks get packed harder than the rest. Those spots can want it twice a year even if the rest of the yard does not.
Do It While It Is Growing
Aerate bermuda when it is actively growing so it fills the holes back in, roughly May through August here. Aerating a dormant lawn just opens it up for winter weeds.
Do Not Break the Barrier
Aerating right after a spring pre-emergent punches holes through the layer you paid for. Get the aeration done first, then lay the barrier down.
What Fixes It
Core Aeration
We pull real plugs, not spikes. Spikes just press the sides of the hole in and make compaction worse.
Fertilization & Weed Control
Aeration opens the door. Feeding is what actually thickens the lawn once water and air can get down there.
When Should Pre-Emergent Go Down?
So you can get the order right and not undo one job with the other.
Why Choose Lawn Jox?
Free Service Calls
Our job is to make sure your lawn is beautiful all season long. If you think there is something wrong with your lawn, call us. The inspection is free.
Right Size Equipment
Lawn Jox started with push mowers and we still have them. We use the right sized equipment for the right job, optimizing our time and lowering your cost.
Professional, Uniformed Crews
Just like your lawn, we have standards with our appearance as well. All of our lawn care technicians are uniformed and professional.
Fully Licensed & Insured
As a fully licensed & insured lawn care company in the state of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas, we make sure your assets are protected while on your property.
Electronic Quotes & Invoicing
We save on paper and make it easy to pay. With our electronic system, you’ll receive quotes and invoices on your devices so you can accept bids and pay invoices all online.
No Contracts
Nothing to sign and no minimum term. Your program carries over each year so the spring pre-emergent is never missed, and you can stop any time by calling or texting the office.