Business owners know they have one chance to make an impression on new customers.
That first impression could be made through a demonstration of expertise, a show on how a business owner or representative conducts themselves, or even a quick judgment based on appearances. The curb appeal of a building is also subject to those flash judgments.
It’s important to ensure that your facility is inviting to staff and visitors. It needs to be clean and tidy indoors and out. However, one area that’s often overlooked is the property’s lawn, especially in areas with drastic seasonal swings.
Sometimes mowing and watering simply isn’t enough to grow a welcoming, lush, green lawn. This year, make a plan to aerate. In addition to watering, fertilizing and treating for pests, aerating will help keep your grass healthy, resilient and disease free.
What Is Lawn Aeration?
Aeration is the process of allowing more air and nutrients to enter the soil by removing plugs of dirt from the turf with a mechanical aerator. Once aerated, the soil is less compacted, allowing the grass to grow deeper roots and water to sink deeper into the soil. The result is a healthier lawn that is more likely to withstand heat and drought.
How Does Aerating Lawns Keeps Your Grass Healthy?
Aerating your lawn is an important step in keeping the grass healthy. When soil gets too dense or compacted, oxygen and nutrients can’t reach the roots.
Dense soil keeps the roots of the grass from growing very deep. Without strong, deep roots, the grass will struggle to withstand dry or hot weather and diseases.
An aerator helps loosen the soil and remove thatch buildup. This, in turn, builds better topsoil under your grass and creates stronger roots. Additionally, aerating lawns helps water, nutrients and air get to your grass while preventing erosion and harmful runoff.

Signs Your Lawn Needs Aeration
Lawns need to be aerated when the soil gets overly compacted. Signs to look for include:
- Poor drainage, ponding or excessive erosion and water runoff
- Dry, thin spots or areas of disease like brown patch fungus
- High-traffic areas, such as sports fields or play areas for pets and kids
- Sod or lawns surrounding new construction (the soil underneath may not have been prepared properly)
To confirm if a lawn needs aeration, cut out a 6-inch-deep cross section:
- Is the Thatch Layer Too Thick? Thatch is the layer of clippings and other organic debris that builds up at the base of the grass. Thick thatch can make the lawn look dried out or feel spongy when you walk on it. If the thatch is more than 0.5 inches thick, aerate.
- Are the Roots Shallow? If the grass’s roots only extend 1 to 2 inches into the soil, aerate.
- Is the Soil Made of Dense Clay? If the soil contains a large amount of clay, or doesn’t crumble easily, consider aerating.

When and How Often Should You Aerate?
The best time of year to aerate and how frequently to do it depends on your location and your lawn.
- Most Lawns: Most lawns only need to be aerated once per year, typically in the spring or fall.
- Hot Climates: Lawns in hot climates or lawns with warm-season grass, like bermudagrass, should aerate in the spring or early summer before the full heat of the season.
- Cool Climates: Lawns in cooler climates with cool-season grass, like Kentucky bluegrass, should aerate in the fall to avoid allowing weeds to germinate.
- Sandy, Well-Drained Soil: Lawns with loose, sandy soil and no drainage issues may only need to be aerated every 2 to 3 years.
- Clay Soil or High-Traffic Lawns: If the soil is heavily compacted because it’s mostly clay or is in a high-traffic area, like a sports field, then it may need twice yearly aeration.
- When NOT to Aerate: Do not aerate new lawns for the first year after they’ve been seeded or sodded as it puts unnecessary stress on seed that’s still trying to gain a strong hold.

Learn more about preparing a yard for spring with these guides.
- Spring has Sprung: Now’s the Time to Get Your Yard in Shape
- How to Level a Yard to Prepare for Building a Patio
How to Aerate Lawns with an Aerator in 4 Steps
Aerating property is a seasonal task at best, even for lawn care contractors. Because of this, it often makes sense to rent a walk-behind aerator and dethatcher to get the job done quickly and effectively when the weather conditions are right. Before you get started, review all landscaping regulations to ensure a safe project site. Then learn how to aerate lawns by following the steps below.
1. Mow and Irrigate the Lawn
A few days before you aerate, mow the lawn. If possible, cut the grass shorter than you normally would. Shorter grass will allow the aerator’s tines to fully penetrate the soil.
The day before aerating, water (or irrigate) the lawn, especially if the ground is very hard and dry. You want the soil to be soft, but not wet.
Pro Tip: Do NOT water or aerate after an extended rainfall. If the soil is too wet, it will get stuck in the machine instead of falling back into the ground, creating a massive mess.
2. Mark or Remove Hidden Objects
Lawns are often full of hard objects that don’t interfere with mowing but can damage an aerator. Survey the area and mark any of these objects ahead of time so that they are easier to avoid.
Look for, remove or mark the following hazards:
- Partially or fully buried rocks that are just below the soil’s surface
- Sprinkler heads or irrigation lines
- Large roots or other hard objects
Pro Tip: It’s a great idea to contact 811 in your state, which is required before you dig but not required for aerating. Still, it can’t hurt to have a utility crew come out after contacting 811 to mark utility, internet, phone and other lines before performing the task.
3. Aerate the Lawn
It’s time to start the aeration process:
- Prepare Your Machine: Before operating the aerator, read the manual and follow the recommended best operating procedures. Check that the aerator is in good working condition.
- Make the First Pass: Run the aerator back and forth across the lawn. Go slowly, aiming for 20-40 holes per square foot.
- Make a Second Pass in the Perpendicular Direction: For best results, do a second pass in the perpendicular direction.
- Don’t Pick Up the Plugs: If you used a coring aerator[HK1] , you do not have to pick up the plugs of removed soil. Leave the plugs in the grass so they can return nutrients to the soil the next time you mow.
Pro Tip: Opt for a powered aerator over manual options (like aerating shoe attachments and handheld spikes). Powered aerators are easy to rent and can cover up to 36,000 square feet of lawn in an hour, making them far more effective and efficient than manual methods. It’s also a good idea to aerate a day or two before forecasted rainfall to help soil plugs soak back in.
4. Fertilize and Reseed the Lawn
Immediately after aerating is a great time to help the lawn even further. Spread compost or apply fertilizer to encourage lush growth. If needed, you can also reseed or overseed bare patches.
Pro Tips:
- For thinning lawns that need an overall more even appearance, wait about a month before overseeding. This gives the holes time to close so the new grass grows evenly.
- Make sure you use the same grass seeds as the existing lawn. The wrong grass seeds can make a patchy lawn look even worse as the new grass may grow faster or slower than the old grass or grow in a slightly different shade.
Aerate Your Lawn with Equipment from Herc Rentals
Annual lawn aeration is a great way to keep your property looking its best. With a healthy, green lawn you can enhance your property’s curb appeal, while creating a lovely environment for outdoor activities.
At Herc Rentals, we know that seasonal projects can be a hassle without the right equipment. Lawn aeration is no different. With Herc Rentals, you’ll get flexible access to reliable equipment right when you need it. Our aerator and landscaping equipment rentals help you avoid the long-term costs and hassles of buying and storing equipment you only need once or twice a year.
Discover how renting an aerator from Herc Rentals can add value to your operation today. Browse our wide selection of landscaping equipment or call 888-777-2700 to learn more.