Florli

Care step by step

Aerating a lawn

Aeration can relieve compacted soil, but its need and intensity depend on traffic, soil structure and turf condition.

Good timing

Aerate during active growth when the soil is lightly moist and the lawn can recover.

When to wait

Do not work soil that is frozen, saturated or baked hard by drought.

What to record

The tool, number of passes, soil moisture and the most compacted locations.

Care

A useful routine

  1. 1

    Test compaction in several representative places.

  2. 2

    Aerate evenly, concentrating extra passes only where justified.

  3. 3

    Plan topdressing, watering or overseeding according to the result.

Observation

Before you finish

  • Compaction is confirmed rather than assumed.
  • The selected tine suits the purpose.
  • The lawn has recovery time after treatment.
Important

Aeration does not solve drainage failure or unsuitable soil by itself. Address the underlying cause as well.

Florli

Related guides and features

Care Scarifying a lawn Scarify only when thatch is a real problem and the lawn has active growth and enough time to recover. Read the guide → Care Overseeding a lawn Successful overseeding depends on seed-to-soil contact, suitable temperature and reliable moisture through germination. Read the guide → Library Lawn care Watering, feeding, scarifying, aeration and overseeding organised into one condition-led lawn care plan. Read the guide →
Sources and further reading: Penn State Extension: lawn management through the seasons

From advice to your own plan

Florli remembers what you have done for each plant.

Add a plant or garden area, log completed care and observations, and keep the next useful tasks together in one plan.

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Prepared by Florli. This is general guidance. Sources are listed with each guide, and every decision should reflect the species, location, weather and the plant’s current condition.