When do you aerate your lawn?
 

I've read late spring is the best time to do it but you know how accurate it can be when you read random links online. I'm supposed to be picking up a plug aerator this weekend but don't want to jump the gun. I'm in North-West Illinois for what it matters, with a lawn that I inherited with the house we bought last fall (I.E. I don't know what kind of grass it is). My question is when do y;all aerate your lawn? I'm thinking mid to late spring but don't want to jump the gun. Thanks guys! :beerchug:

A spike aerator is better if you are not laying down fertilizer or seed. But either will work. You want to do it before it rains if you are using a plug style... otherwise you will have little plugs everywhere for a while.... :bigeyes:
Earlier the better. The fall is a good time too.

Like already mentioned, spring or fall is best. You can help the plugs go away faster by dragging a piece of chain link fence around after aerating to break up the plugs.

Bill

What I do.

After 1 or 2 firsts cut of the year. Couple days after a rain so the ground isn't rock hard. I leave my plugs cause they get chopped up with cutting. I then use a 10/10/10 fertilizer 2x a year
As far as weeds go, I have a friend of a friend that comes over every spring & when it gets to around 80deg., sprays my lawn for weeds & crabgrass. Then during the year I spot spray with a 2gal. Hand held sprayer to keep after an occasional pesky weeds that pops up.
This works for me & my acre of grass. Not picture perfect as an advertisement ad in a magazine but........... I'm happy with the results:beerchug:

Nik

Also, I de-thatch my lawn before aerating, & again early fall.

With my lawn (?) right now about all it would do is give the water someplace to go! There was 6" of standing water last weekend. :bash2:

any time you want really
when it pulls a plug I do mine in the middle of summer also ,when the dirt is packed tight and it still makes it a bit greener as plants need air to the roots plus if you get a quick down pour it lets it get to the roots
the plugs break up in weeks I find

I do mine in the fall with a plug aerator after what I think will be the last mowing and the ground is soft enough for it to do its job. That way the rain can melt the plugs and I don't track the mud around. But I think you could do it anytime the ground is soft enough to get the plugger of spikes to penetrate.

I'm going to aerate next week, after we get a good rain this coming Monday.

I aerate for 3 reasons.

1. To loosen ground compacted by driving on it.

2. Give a place for seed and fertilizer to get into.

3. Another excuse for seat time... :biggrin2:

I just did my yard, trying to hit it and put down fertilizer while there are a few more frosts to come.

Here is my 1650 puling my plug areator.