Core Aeration - Ask Extension
Greetings. Can you please tell me when the best time is to do core aeration of lawn? Seems I see a fair amount of this done in the Spring, but I've re...
Knowledgebase
Core Aeration #863145
Asked April 02, 2024, 1:44 PM EDT
Greetings. Can you please tell me when the best time is to do core aeration of lawn? Seems I see a fair amount of this done in the Spring, but I've read where late Summer early Fall maybe the best time. Please clarify.
We've been at our current residence for 36 years and have never done a core aeration.
Thank you for your help.
Kalamazoo County Michigan
Expert Response
The preferred season to core aerate is early fall due to a more favorable recovery environment. To assist the turf in recovery the application of 0.5# nitrogen fertilizer per 1000SqFt a week before core aerating is recommended. But spring core aeration can also be done.
More info on core aeration in the attached articles:
Core Aeration of Lawns-MSU
Core Aeration & Dethatching of Lawns-MSU
Core Aeration of lawns-Illinois
Core Aeration of Lawns-Iowa St
Lawn aeration-UMd
After core aeration a top dressing of compost can be applied or grass seed spread as a way of benefitting the soil or thickening the turf.
More lawn care info:
Smart Lawns Tip Sheets-MSU
How to Choose & Apply Grub Control Products-MSU
Turfweeds - MSU
Turfgrass Disease Chart-OSU
More info on core aeration in the attached articles:
Core Aeration of Lawns-MSU
Core Aeration & Dethatching of Lawns-MSU
Core Aeration of lawns-Illinois
Core Aeration of Lawns-Iowa St
Lawn aeration-UMd
After core aeration a top dressing of compost can be applied or grass seed spread as a way of benefitting the soil or thickening the turf.
More lawn care info:
Smart Lawns Tip Sheets-MSU
How to Choose & Apply Grub Control Products-MSU
Turfweeds - MSU
Turfgrass Disease Chart-OSU
Thanks very much for your helpful response. What is meant by the phrase, "grass seed spread", in the last paragraph?
Thank you.
My apologies for any confusion my reply caused. "grass seed spread" means sowing grass seed after core aeration to thicken the lawn. See excerpts from articles below:
- Seeding the lawn after a cultivation procedure is a very effective way to introduce more desirable grasses.
- Combining topdressing with any re-seeding or over seeding along with regular watering for at least 3 weeks will really turn the lawn around.
- Aeration can be done before overseeding. This procedure makes holes for the seed to fall into, therefore increasing seed-to-soil contact. My comment: this is important for successful seed germination.
