If your lawn feels more like a soggy sponge than a soft green carpet, it might be crying out for a bit of breathing space — quite literally. Aeration is one of those underappreciated jobs that can take your lawn from ‘meh’ to marvellous. And don’t worry, you don’t need a fancy machine or a degree in horticulture to get it right.
What Is Lawn Aeration (And Why Bother)?
Lawn aeration is the process of poking holes in your lawn to relieve soil compaction and allow air, water and nutrients to reach the grassroots. Think of it as acupuncture for your turf — minus the candles and whale music.
Over time, especially on heavy clay soils (hello, Britain), soil becomes compacted from rain, foot traffic, pets, kids, and yes, even the odd garden party. Compaction means roots struggle to grow deep, drainage becomes poor, and the grass ends up a bit lifeless. Aeration fixes that. It improves root development, drainage, drought resistance, and overall lawn health. A well-aerated lawn is a happy lawn.
When Should You Aerate Your Lawn?
There are two golden windows for aeration in the UK: spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October). These seasons offer mild weather and moist soil — perfect conditions for the grass to recover quickly.
Spring aeration helps your lawn bounce back from a long, wet winter, while autumn aeration prepares it to survive the cold months ahead. Avoid doing it during drought or when the ground is rock-hard or waterlogged — you won’t do the grass (or your back) any favours.
Different Aeration Methods
Spike Aeration (Solid Tine)
This involves simply poking holes into the lawn using tools like a garden fork, spiked shoes, or — for an easier life — a tool like the SpikeMat. The SpikeMat is especially handy if you want to aerate little and often without messing about with machinery. Just press it into the lawn as you walk across, and it does the job nicely. No cables, no fuel, no fuss.
Hollow-Tine Aeration
This is the heavy-duty option where you remove small plugs of soil using a hollow-tine aerator. It’s ideal for badly compacted lawns or high-traffic areas. It creates more space in the soil than spike aeration and provides longer-lasting results. But it’s a bit more effort, leaves a mess of soil plugs, and is generally something you’d do once a year, in autumn.
How to Aerate Your Lawn (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: Check the soil – The ground should be moist but not muddy. If it’s too dry, water the lawn the day before.
- Step 2: Choose your weapon – For light aeration, a fork or SpikeMat will do. For deeper issues, hire a hollow-tine aerator.
- Step 3: Cover the lawn – Aerate the entire lawn evenly. If using a fork, push it in about 10–15cm deep every 10cm or so. If using a SpikeMat, walk it across the lawn methodically like you’re mowing.
- Step 4: Topdress (optional) – After hollow-tining, consider brushing in a lawn topdressing mix (sand and loam) to improve soil structure and help fill the holes.
- Step 5: Feed and water – Finish off with a gentle watering and, if appropriate, a spring or autumn lawn feed. This is a great time to overseed if the lawn is thin in places.
Aeration Frequency: How Often Should You Do It?
Most domestic lawns benefit from aeration once or twice a year, depending on soil type and footfall. Heavy clay or high-traffic lawns (kids, pets, or the world’s busiest postman) may need it more often — perhaps a light spiking every month or two during the growing season using something simple like a SpikeMat.
Sandy or loamy lawns with less use can get away with once a year. If you’re unsure, do the old screwdriver test — if it’s hard to push a screwdriver into the soil, it’s time to aerate.
Let Your Lawn Breathe Easy
Aeration might not be the most glamorous job in the garden, but it’s one of the most rewarding. Your grass will grow stronger roots, recover faster after wear, and look greener for longer — all from giving it a little poke now and then.
So grab that fork, strap on those spiked shoes, or roll out your trusty SpikeMat. It’s time to show your lawn some air-time. Trust us — it’ll thank you for it.
