The best time to aerate your cool-season lawn in Michigan is in the late summer through fall, between mid-August and early October. Aerating during spring is not ideal.
Late summer into fall is when the grass is strong and not under stress, providing the ideal conditions for recovery and growth. Plus, this important step strengthens your lawn’s roots before winter hits, setting the stage for a lush, healthy lawn come spring.
Best time to aerate your lawn in Michigan
In Michigan, the best time for aerating is from late summer to fall, typically between August 15th and early October. Spring aeration is not recommended.
Why late summer to fall?
- Cool-season grasses are the best grass seeds in Michigan, and they grow best in fall.
- Aerating at this time will avoid weed and crabgrass issues.
- Grass roots keep growing until winter freezes the ground.
- Late summer to fall aeration loosens soil before winter, promoting healthier roots.
Why not spring?
- Spring aeration can create space for weeds to grow.
- It disrupts the crabgrass inhibitor applied earlier in the season.
Aeration involves creating small holes in the soil to improve air, water, and nutrient penetration into the roots. It has many benefits like relieving soil compaction, reducing water runoff, enhancing, and managing thatch buildup, among others. You can check out our article, Benefits of Aerating Your Lawn, for more information.
Lawn aeration is typically done by experts, though it’s important to know how aeration is done. When aerating your lawn, you can choose between core and spike aeration. Core aeration is great for thick thatch and compacted soil, while spike aeration is good for light maintenance.
How often should you aerate your lawn?
If your yard sees a lot of foot traffic, especially on clay-heavy soil, yearly aeration in late summer through fall can work wonders to loosen things up and keep your grass thriving. On the other hand, if your lawn isn’t too compacted and has less than 1/2 inch of thatch, you can likely aerate every other year or as needed.
This ensures your lawn bounces back quickly, stays healthy, and looks its best.
Pro Tip: To check if your lawn needs aeration, simply dig a small plug of grass with a shovel. If there’s more than half an inch of thatch or the roots are less than 2 inches deep, aerating will help your lawn thrive.
FAQ about when to aerate your Michigan lawn
Can you aerate and dethatch your Michigan lawn at the same time?
Yes, you can. The best time to aerate and dethatch your lawn in Michigan is during late summer through fall. While dethatching in spring is possible, keep in mind that aerating in spring is not ideal. To know more about the best time to dethatch, check our article: When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Michigan.
If your lawn has both a spongy brown carpet and rock-hard soil, it’s beneficial to give it a full spa treatment. However, remember to dethatch before you aerate. Dethatching first removes debris and makes the aeration process more effective and less time-consuming.
Remember, to successfully aerate and dethatch your Michigan lawn at the same time, you need to know the difference between aeration and dethatching. While aeration can remove some thatch, it’s not a substitute for dethatching.
What should you consider before aerating?
Before aerating your lawn, it’s crucial to take a few steps to ensure everything goes smoothly:
- Locate underground utilities: If you have an in-ground irrigation system or other buried lines (like invisible dog fence wire), it’s important to know their exact location. While these lines are usually deep underground, double-checking can prevent accidental damage during aeration.
- Mark and protect underground wires: Take the time to mark and safeguard any shallowly buried underground wires and irrigation components. This precaution helps avoid potential mishaps and ensures a safe and effective aeration process.
What should you do after aeration?
After aerating your lawn, here’s what you should do next for the best results:
- Watering: Make sure your lawn gets enough water to help it recover. Established lawns need about 1 inch of water per week. Water in the morning to reduce evaporation. If morning watering isn’t possible, early evening works too. Avoid watering late at night to prevent fungal diseases.
- Planting seeds and overseeding: It’s best to plant seeds or overseed your lawn right after aeration. This gives the seeds a direct path into the soil through the freshly created channels, improving their chances of sprouting. Late summer to early fall is the best time to plant grass seeds in Michigan, while fall is also perfect for overseeding.
- Fertilizing: Knowing when to fertilize your Michigan lawn is also important. Fertilize your Michigan lawn especially in late summer and fall when aeration is also ideal. Applying fertilizer after aeration ensures essential nutrients for grass growth and recovery.
Call a pro
Aeration is key to a healthy, lush lawn, and Lawn Love can connect you with local Michigan lawn care pros who know how and when to do it. These experts will help your grass breathe, soak up nutrients, and grow strong. Plus, they can handle other lawn care tasks needed to keep your yard looking its best year-round.
Main Image Credit: Oregon State University | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
