anyone know when you should ideally aerate the lawn? I did it in the fall when I fertilized but wanted to do it again this spring (got the aerator you pull behind the riding mower). Since I own it, I might as well do it again! Plus I figure it might skewer some grubs in the process ;-)
Miles
When to aerate the lawn
i have only seen it done in the fall. are you going to do the same area again after doing it last fall? Why?
If you goal is a fuller lawn a slicer and reseeding would be my recommendation.
I wouldn't think you'd want to do it in the spring and cut out new growth.
I was just going to do the whole thing again...I bought the aerator so figured I might as well use it.
M.
Two ways to look at this situation. In the spring new growth is up, moving and begging to grow. What happens when we aerate. We cut out a small plug. From each cut there are many roots pruned. Each cut root immediately sends out usually two new roots. It can do this best only when actively growing. Coupled with this thinking the grass in North Central Pennsylvania is just starting to grow. It is approaching first cutting. Any cutting above or below the ground is a signal to grow some more.
In the fall we have better people weather and possibly more time to perform chores like this. That makes it better for us not better for the grass. In the fall the grass has slowed in its growing but some growth is still evident and some good will come of such management anytime it may be performed.
makes sense. I think grubs are moving towards the surface, I'm thinking end of april I might pick a bunch off if I aerate!
M.