Should I Aerate in Spring or Fall? Lawn Care Tips for Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS

Is your lawn appearing a bit worn out?

Over time, your lawn endures various stresses. A sparse, dull lawn can be quite noticeable, especially if you’re accustomed to lush, green grass.

Even with correct fertilization, proper watering, and regular mowing, your lawn can still start to look worn out from mower and foot traffic. You might be at a loss as to what to do next when you’ve done everything else right.

That’s where aeration can be a key piece of the lawn care puzzle. But just because it’s good for your lawn doesn’t mean you should do it all the time … or should you?

When to Aerate in North Mississippi

In Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS, our warm-season grasses grow most in spring to early summer, from early May to late July.

Unfortunately, lawn aeration in the spring opens up areas for weeds to germinate, so it’s essential to avoid aerating when weeds are actively putting down roots.

And lawn aeration in fall disrupts grass as it’s approaching dormancy, so that would also be a stressful time for the grass.

Spring, before weeds can germinate and when your grass grows vigorously, is the ideal time for aeration in our region.

Why You Should Opt For Professional Lawn Aeration

Core aeration involves using a special machine called an aerator to extract small soil cores or plugs from your lawn. Those cores are then deposited back across the lawn as the machine operates, breaking down over the next week or so to reintroduce organic matter into your lawn’s soil.

The process may seem relatively simple, but it offers several significant benefits.

Lawns require several essential elements to thrive: oxygen, water, and nutrients for optimal growth. Everything from rainfall to foot traffic to everyday activity can compact your lawn soil, which restricts the flow of these essentials to your lawn’s roots.

Professional lawn aeration loosens compacted soil, enabling essential nutrients to nourish your grass roots once more. It also creates space for deeper root development.

Additionally, aeration helps reduce thatch buildup and thin turf. Thatch is a layer of dead and living plant material accumulating between the soil and grass blades, consisting of stems, leaves, and roots that don’t decompose quickly enough when organic debris production exceeds breakdown.

How Often Can You Aerate Your Lawn?

When looking at an aeration schedule, it’s important to factor in the number of times you do aeration as well.

In this area, once a year is usually adequate.

Can You Aerate Your Lawn Too Much?

If you walk on your soil and it feels rock solid and looks thin or patchy, this can be a sign that it's time to aerate.

However, if your grass is healthy and thriving, and hasn’t been heavily impacted by equipment or foot traffic, you may not need aeration.

Once annually is great to keep that compaction away.

Avoiding Common Aeration Schedule Mistakes

Aeration properly performed annual aeration can significantly improve your lawn in Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS.

To maximize its benefits, avoid common mistakes, such as forgetting the right timing for aeration.

First, never use inappropriate equipment. Spiked shoes or rented machines from local stores may not yield the same quality as professional services. Professionals typically use a core aerator, which is the preferred tool for effective aeration.

This tool removes soil plugs measuring 2 to 3 inches in diameter at half-inch intervals across your lawn. Incorrect use or equipment may not provide benefits and could harm your turf.

For optimal results, timing is also important. As noted earlier, the best period for warm-season grasses is from early May to late July.

Get On The Right Aeration Schedule With Lawn & Pest Solutions

Now that you know the benefits of aeration and when to aerate your lawn in Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS, you are ready to plan for this as part of your lawn care strategy.

Hiring a professional lawn aeration service means you receive a proactive approach to lawn care that includes high-end equipment and great results. And choosing not to do this yourself means you don’t have to deal with a bare, discolored lawn or lackluster results.

If you still have questions about aeration, give Lawn & Pest Solutions a call. We want to help you make the best decision for you. We can help you compare programs and costs so you know what a professional lawn aeration program includes, when it should be done, and how it can impact your lawn.

Want to improve your lawn’s health and create a thicker, greener lawn in North Mississippi? Lawn & Pest Solutions can help. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we’ll customize a plan that gives you the most attractive lawn on the block.