Since 1997, HomeTips has guided millions of homeowners with original, expert advice for DIY home improvement and repair. Founder Don Vandervort, a nationally recognized authority, has written more than 30 books and countless magazine articles, been a host on HGTV, and served as MSN's home improvement expert. MORE
Over time, lawns can become compacted, which limits the amount of water, oxygen, and nutrition grass can absorb through the roots. When this happens, turf may start to look unhealthy, water runs off or pools on the surface instead of being absorbed, and fertilizers cannot infiltrate the soil and feed the plants.
Aeration not only helps the roots, it helps the earthworms and bugs (microorganisms) that live in the top layers of soil and naturally keep your lawn in shape. Keeping the "good" bugs happy means that your lawn is less likely to be attacked by "bad" bugs, which means you will not have to buy bags of pesticide (which kills both bad and good bugs).
There are several ways to go about aerating your lawn, but the results are generally the same. Most aeration machines (manual or power-driven) will roll over the grass and either punch 3-to-4-inch holes in the turf with spikes, or pull plugs of soil about a quarter-inch in diameter with small pipes.
