Before: After:

When lawns receive heavy traffic or are over used the soil becomes compacted. Aerification or coring can relieve compacted soils. When soils are cored soil plugs are brought to the soil surface leaving channels that can allow more air and water to infiltrate into the soil which can be beneficial to root growth and microbial activity. Let the cores dry out on the surface and then rake them to break them up so the soil can filter back into the aeration holes.

Do not aerifiy soils that are wet since this could damage soil structure. Avoid coring during hot, dry weather or anytime turf is under stress.

If done too early in the season weeds seeds can be brought up to the soil surface where they can establish and flourish.

The best time to core aerate is early fall when the temperatures begin to cool. If the soil is too dry it will be difficult to aerate. If the soil is too wet coring can damage soil structure. So aerate when the soil is slightly moist.

Evaluate your lawn and soil to see if your lawn can benefit from an occasional aerification.