Aerate your cool-season grass in Tennessee in late September or early October. Aerate warm-season grasses in late April to early May.
Warm-season lawns should be aerated when temperatures rise above 75 degrees, which tends to happen in late April to early May. Cool-season lawns should be aerated when temperatures drop below 75 degrees. It could also be aerated in March when temperatures rise above 60 degrees, but you have a higher chance of weed invasion.
Aerate in early fall
Aerate your cool-season lawn in late September or early October. For warm-season lawns, aerate in late April to early May.
Aerate during the growing season to ensure your lawn recovers quickly and is healthier than before.
- For cool-season grass, the active growing season is when temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees.
- For warm-season grasses, the active growing season is when temperatures are between 75 and 90 degrees.
Temperatures and weather patterns vary, changing the exact growing season, but here’s a general idea.
| Grass type | Growing season begins | Growing season ends |
| Warm-season | late April to early May | Early October |
| Fall cool-season | Late September | Late November |
| Spring cool-season | Early to mid-March | Late May |
Your grass will likely stay green (or start to green) outside these times, but it won’t be actively growing, which is the key to choosing when to aerate.
While you can aerate anytime during the growing season, it’s better to aerate closer to the beginning of the growing season so your lawn has plenty of time to recover before the summer heat and winter cold can stress your lawn.
When to aerate by city
As you know, Tennessee’s yearly weather patterns vary, but it also varies by location. Below are some of Tennessee’s cities and the best time to aerate, which are based on each city’s average monthly temperature.
| City | Fall cool-season grass | Warm-season grass | Spring cool-season grass |
| Nashville | 1st week of October | Last week of April | 2nd week of March |
| Memphis | 2nd week of October | 3rd week of April | 1st week of March |
| Knoxville | 4th week of September | 1st week of May | 2nd week of March |
| Chattanooga | 1st week of October | 3rd week of April | 1st week of March |
| Clarksville | 4th week of September | 1st week of May | 2nd week of March |
| Johnson City | 3rd week of September | Mid-May | 3rd week of March |
| Jackson | 1st week of October | 3rd week of April | 2nd week of March |
| Murfreesboro | 1st week of October | Last week of April | 2nd week of March |
| Union City | 4th week of September | 2nd week of May | Mid-March |
- Remember, these dates are based on averages and may not be exact and your best bet is to rely on temperatures to know exactly when to aerate.
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- Cool-season: 60 to 75
- Warm-season: 75 to 90
- If you can’t aerate on these precise weeks, that’s okay. Aerate as close to these times as you can.
Should I hire a professional?
Aerating and maintaining your lawn is relatively easy, but it’s also hard work and time-consuming. On the other hand, finding someone reliable and affordable seems impossible. Lawn Love can help. We’ll connect you with a vetted, experienced, cost-friendly, local professional who’ll have your lawn looking fantastic without you breaking a sweat or the bank.
Main Image Credit: Lost_in_the_Midwest | Adobe Stock | License
