{"id":34076,"date":"2025-04-28T20:33:45","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T20:33:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=34076"},"modified":"2025-07-14T03:23:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T03:23:10","slug":"aeration-in-utah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/aeration-in-utah\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Aerate Your Lawn in Utah"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best times to aerate your cool-season grass are from April to May and September, and the best time to aerate your warm-season grass is between<strong> <\/strong>May and July.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are the periods when grass is growing fastest, and aerating your lawn during growing periods loosens compacted soil and provides passageways for water, nutrients, and air to reach the roots. In this article, we look at the ideal time to aerate your Utah lawn.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-77a59e03-b697-46a2-8973-3eee3e9dfd73\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\"><strong>In this article<\/strong>:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/aeration-in-utah\/#0-time-of-year\" style=\"\">Best time of year<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/aeration-in-utah\/#1-soil-temperature\" style=\"\">Optimum soil temperature<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/aeration-in-utah\/#2-other-conditions-for-aeration\" style=\"\">Other conditions<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-time-of-year\"><span id=\"time-of-year\">Time of year<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both cool- and warm-season grasses grow in Utah. Cool-season grasses grow throughout the whole state and warm-season grasses grow in the southernmost part. (Read our article, The Best Grass Seed for Utah Lawns, to learn what grasses grow in Utah).<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A general rule of thumb is to aerate your lawn when your grass is actively growing, that is:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>For cool-season grasses<\/strong>: once between April and May and once in September.<\/li>    <li><strong>For warm-season grasses<\/strong>: once between May and July across the state. However, in cooler areas like Grand County and southern San Juan County, aerate between May and September.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip<\/strong>: If you plan on applying a pre-emergent to control common Utah weeds, wait until after you aerate. Aerating the lawn can reduce herbicide\u2019s effectiveness by opening up spots for weeds to sprout.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-soil-temperature\"><span id=\"soil-temperature\">Soil temperature<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Soil temperatures affect when to aerate your lawn. Both cool and warm-season grasses need the soil to consistently reach specific temperatures:<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Type of grass<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Soil temperature<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cool-season grass<\/td><td>50\u00b0F<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Warm-season grass<\/td><td>Between 65\u00b0F and 75\u00b0F<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Helpful tools and resources<\/strong>:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/soiltemperature.app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This app<\/a> shows soil temperatures based on location.<\/li>    <li>Our guides, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-calendar-cool-season-grass\/\">Lawn Care Calendar for Cool-Season Grass<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-calendar-warm-season-grass\/\">Lawn Care Calendar for Warm-Season Grass<\/a>, tell you where aeration fits in your yearly lawn care routine.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-other-conditions-for-aeration\"><span id=\"other-conditions-for-aeration\">Other conditions for aeration<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png\" alt=\"illustration showing how aeration works and the benefits of aerating soil\" class=\"wp-image-5850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-610x305.png 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-390x195.png 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other conditions that influence the best time to aerate your lawn include:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Soil moisture<\/strong>: Aeration works best when the soil is damp but not overly saturated. Place a screwdriver into the ground to measure your soil\u2019s moisture. If it slips in easily, your soil is ready for aeration.<\/li>    <li><strong>Time of the day<\/strong>: Aerate your lawn in the morning, when cooler temperatures and higher humidity help the soil retain moisture.<\/li>    <li><strong>Before overseeding<\/strong>: Aerating your lawn pokes holes into the ground, creating spaces for new seeds to settle and grow.<\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-frequently-asked-questions\"><span id=\"frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently asked questions<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-what%E2%80%99s-the-best-way-to-aerate-my-lawn\"><span id=\"whats-the-best-way-to-aerate-my-lawn\">What\u2019s the best way to aerate my lawn?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/yardandgarden\/research\/st-george-utah-turfgrass-management-calendar#:~:text=Core%20aeration%20using%20a%20hollow%20tine%20aerator%20(3%2D%204%E2%80%9Dlength%2C%20%C2%BC%2D%C2%BE%E2%80%9D%20diam.)%20is%20recommended.%20For%20best%20results%2C%20aerate%20in%20one%20direction%20and%20once%20again%20at%2090%20degrees%20to%20the%20first%20direction.%C2%A0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Utah<\/a> recommends using a hollow-tine aerator 3 to 4 inches in length and \u00bc to \u00be inches in diameter.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-how-often-should-i-aerate-my-lawn\"><span id=\"how-often-should-i-aerate-my-lawn\">How often should I aerate my lawn?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lawns in Utah only need to be aerated once a year. For best results, the University of Utah suggests aerating in one direction and once again at a 90-degree angle in the first direction.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-what-should-i-do-after-aerating-my-lawn\"><span id=\"what-should-i-do-after-aerating-my-lawn\">What should I do after aerating my lawn?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lightly water your lawn to promote soil recovery. This watering guide for Utah homeowners will help. Next, seed the lawn to encourage new grass growth and improve density. Finally, fertilize to nourish your grass as aeration makes channels for fertilizer to reach the roots more effectively.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-hire-a-professional\"><span id=\"hire-a-professional\">Hire a professional<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We know you\u2019re busy. Maybe you won\u2019t be in town when it\u2019s time to aerate. Don\u2019t worry &#8211; Lawn Love has your back. Contact us and we\u2019ll send a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-aeration\">lawn care pro<\/a> to aerate your lawn for you.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-428089aa-7588-46f3-8118-7b99364cf39b\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"true\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-26cd82ab-f505-4fc0-b68f-fc01accd90f8\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-428089aa-7588-46f3-8118-7b99364cf39b\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-428089aa-7588-46f3-8118-7b99364cf39b\" style=\"color: #000000; \"><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-428089aa-7588-46f3-8118-7b99364cf39b\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/yardandgarden\/research\/northern-utah-turfgrass-management-calendar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Northern Utah Turfgrass Management Calendar | USU<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/yardandgarden\/research\/southwest-utah-turfgrass-management-calendar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Southwest Utah Turfgrass Management Calendar | USU<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/yardandgarden\/research\/southeast-utah-turfgrass-management-calendar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Southeast Utah Turfgrass Management Calendar | USU<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/yardandgarden\/research\/turfgrass-cultivars-for-utah\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Turfgrass Cultivars for Utah | USU<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/files-ou\/publications\/factsheet\/HG_517.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Basic Turfgrass Care<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/lawn-aeration\/3303619?prev_url=detail&amp;asset_id=3303619\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Horticulture<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aerate your cool-season lawn once from April to May and once in September and your warm-season lawn once from May to July.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":34113,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[182],"tags":[376,1133],"class_list":["post-34076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-utah","tag-lawn-aeration","tag-lawn-care-ut"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Lawn-aeration.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Stuart Kushner","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/stuart-kushner\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/78"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34076"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40279,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34076\/revisions\/40279"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}