How to Aerate Your Lawn in the UK (And Why You Should Let Us Do It Right)
Have you been Googling things like “how to aerate a lawn,” “how to use a lawn aerator,” or even “why should I aerate my lawn?” If so, you’re not alone. Every spring and autumn, UK homeowners start thinking about their grass — and one of the most important (yet often overlooked) tasks is lawn aeration.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- What lawn aeration is
- Why and when to aerate your lawn
- How to aerate your lawn at home (if you’re brave)
- What to do after lawn aeration
- And why our expert lawn aeration service is often the smarter choice
What Is Lawn Aeration?
Lawn aeration (also known as soil aeration or core aeration) is the process of perforating the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the roots more deeply. This process helps the grass grow stronger, greener, and more resilient.
What does aerating a lawn do?
It relieves compacted soil, reduces thatch, improves root health, and boosts the effectiveness of fertilisers and overseeding.
You may also hear it called:
- Aerating the lawn
- Lawn soil aeration
- Grass aeration
- Core aeration (where plugs of soil are removed)
No matter what you call it, it’s one of the most effective treatments for a struggling or compacted lawn.
When Is the Best Time to Aerate Your Lawn?
In the UK, the best time to aerate your lawn is:
- Early autumn (September to early October)
- Spring (March to April)
These are the times when your grass is actively growing, and conditions are ideal for recovery.
How to Aerate Lawn at Home (If You Want to Try)
Searching how to aerate your lawn yourself? While it's possible, it’s labour-intensive and easy to get wrong — especially without the right tools.
Here are the most common DIY methods:
1. Core Aeration (Best but Hard Work)
- Requires a lawn core aerator (can be hired locally)
- Removes plugs of soil from the ground
- Most effective method, but heavy machinery and effort needed
2. Spike Aeration
- Tools include spike rollers or pitchforks
- Cheaper, but less effective (often compacts the soil more)
- Do spike aerators work? Sometimes — but not ideal for compacted soil
3. Aerator Shoes
- Popular on YouTube and Reddit but not very effective
- May cause more harm than good
Why Should I Aerate My Lawn?
Still unsure if it’s worth it?
Here’s what happens when you don’t aerate:
- Grass struggles to absorb water
- Nutrients sit on the surface instead of reaching the roots
- Thatch builds up, creating disease risks
- Lawn looks patchy, dry, or yellowed
Is lawn aeration necessary?
Yes — especially in high-traffic areas or clay-heavy UK soil.
Why do you aerate a lawn?
To improve root growth, water flow, and nutrient absorption, creating conditions grass needs to grow thick and healthy.
How Often Should You Aerate Your Lawn?
It depends on your soil and usage.
- Once a year for most domestic UK lawns
- Twice a year for compacted or high-traffic lawns
How deep to aerate lawn?
2–3 inches is ideal for reaching compacted layers.
What to Do After Aerating Your Lawn
Here’s what we recommend:
- Leave the soil plugs — they’ll break down naturally
- Overseed immediately after aeration for best results
- Apply fertiliser to nourish the new growth
- Water regularly for the next 2–3 weeks
Can you dethatch / scarify and aerate at the same time?
Yes — and it’s a powerful combo if your lawn has both issues.
💬 Should You Hire a Professional?
For most UK homeowners, hiring a professional is actually the more cost-effective choice.
Why choose our team?
- We use commercial-grade core aerators
- We understand local soil types
- We time treatments to the UK climate
- We offer aeration, overseeding, and fertilising in one go
- We’ll do the job in a fraction of the time
Ready to Aerate Your Lawn the Right Way?
Whether you’re new to lawn care or just tired of patchy grass, aeration is the single most effective treatment to restore life to your lawn. And we’re here to help.
Find your Local Branch here
Quick Answers to Popular Searches:
-
What is a lawn aerator used for?
It creates holes in soil so grass roots can breathe and grow -
Does lawn aeration help?
100%. It's one of the best things you can do for your lawn -
Is aerating good for your lawn?
Yes, especially in the UK’s compact-prone soils
Want greener grass? Let us do the heavy lifting.
We aerate lawns across The UK using expert techniques and reliable results.
Book a Consultation here