The best months to aerate a lawn in the UK are March to May (spring) and September to October (autumn). These periods offer the ideal balance of moisture and mild temperatures, helping your lawn recover quickly and take advantage of improved air, water, and nutrient circulation.
Spring aeration prepares your lawn for vigorous summer growth, while autumn aeration helps it recover from summer stress and strengthens roots before winter.
Book professional lawn aeration services in London for a healthy lawn
The secret to a healthy lawn is in what lies beneath the soil - improve air, nutrient and moisture diffusion to roots with lawn aeration in London.
- Relieves soil compaction and improves drainage
- Promotes healthy root growth and a greener, stronger lawn
- Completed by professionals using specialist equipment
- Can be booked as a stand-alone service or as part of ongoing lawn care
How a lawn aeration service works
If you need a contactless appointment we will do our best to provide it. However, because the condition of lawns can vary so widely it's preferable if someone is able to meet the gardeners so they can explain their assessment of what's needed.
Once the details are agreed your lawn specialists unload their equipment and get to work. Grass aeration in London is completed using hollow tine aerators. These specialist tools leave tiny holes in the lawn which allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the soil so that root growth is boosted. This makes the grass more vigorous and able to grow more strongly than weeds, which tend to proliferate in overly compacted, waterlogged or nutrient-poor soil.
The process of aerating leaves small plugs of soil and grass on the surface of the lawn, you have several options as to how these are dealt with. They can be left on the lawn to dry then broken up with a lawnmower (if your lawnmower is of a type that will be up to the job), or broken down by raking. Alternatively, the gardeners can collect the plugs up. You can then either dispose of them or turn them into compost.
Why is lawn aeration important?
Over time the soil beneath lawns becomes compacted, impacting the ability of roots to access air, water and nutrients. This can result in a lawn that's prone to waterlogging in heavy rainfall and vulnerable to yellowing and dieback in periods of drought. Weeds that are more tolerant to heat, dry or wet conditions will tend to outgrow the grass. Aeration offsets all of these problems.
- Lawn drainage is improved so there is less likely to be a problem with moss or waterlogging
- Aeration reduces the amount of sub-surface thatch and improves the growth of new healthy grass
- Roots are able to penetrate the soil more deeply improving drought resistance
- Creating conditions that allow the grass to thrive means it's better able to compete with weeds
When to have your lawn professionally aerated?
Lawn aeration is best completed in spring or autumn. Ideally, the soil should be moist enough to allow the tines to penetrate easily, but not so wet that walking on the lawn will compact it.
Most people choose to get the grass aerated in spring so that as the grass comes into its most vigorous growth it will heal quickly. Autumn aeration is also beneficial, as it helps the soil and lawn to recover from hot summer months and opens up soil compacted by people walking over the lawn or children playing through the summer holidays.
You can find more information on when is the right time to aerate your lawn in our extensive post "What is Lawn Aeration: Why, When and How to Do It?".
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Frequently asked questions
What month is best to aerate a lawn?
Is there a bad time to aerate?
Yes, aerating during very dry summer months or frozen winter conditions is not recommended. In summer, the soil may be too hard and dry, making it difficult for aerators to penetrate effectively. In winter, frozen soil can damage equipment and won’t benefit from the process.
The best times to aerate are spring and autumn, when the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Our expert gardeners can assess your lawn’s condition and schedule the aeration at the optimal time for long-lasting results.
Is it better to aerate a wet or dry lawn?
The ideal condition for aerating a lawn is when the soil is moist, but not overly wet or completely dry. Moist soil allows the aerator's tines to penetrate easily and effectively, improving airflow, drainage, and nutrient absorption.
Avoid aerating a very dry lawn, as the soil will be too hard to penetrate. Likewise, don’t aerate when the lawn is soggy, as this can cause further compaction and turf damage. Aim for a damp lawn after light rain or watering for best results.
Can you aerate a lawn too much?
Yes, over-aerating a lawn can cause stress to the grass and disrupt healthy root development. While aeration is beneficial, doing it more than once or twice a year is generally unnecessary for most lawns.
Too frequent aeration can damage turf structure and make it harder for the grass to recover. In most cases, aerating once a year in either spring or autumn is sufficient—unless your lawn suffers from extreme compaction or heavy foot traffic, where a second annual aeration may be helpful.
How deep should I aerate my lawn?
Ideally, lawn aeration holes should be between 5 cm and 7.5 cm deep (2 to 3 inches). This depth allows air, water, and nutrients to reach the root zone effectively, helping your grass grow stronger and more resilient.
Our professional gardeners in London use hollow tine aerators designed to penetrate the soil at the correct depth, ensuring optimal results without damaging your lawn.
Can I aerate my own lawn?
Yes, you can aerate your lawn using manual tools like spike shoes or hand aerators, or by renting a machine. However, DIY methods often don’t penetrate as deeply or evenly, especially in larger or compacted lawns, and may not provide the same long-term benefits.
For effective and hassle-free results, our professional gardeners use specialist hollow tine aerators and assess soil conditions on-site to ensure the best treatment tailored to your lawn’s needs.
What happens if you don't aerate your lawn?
Without aeration, the soil can become compacted over time, restricting the flow of air, water, and nutrients to the grass roots. This leads to poor root development, increased thatch build-up, and makes your lawn more prone to waterlogging, weed invasion, and drought stress.
Regular aeration helps maintain healthy soil and promotes strong, vibrant grass. Our professional gardeners can assess your lawn’s condition and carry out aeration using specialist equipment for long-lasting results.
What to do with plugs after aerating a lawn?
The small soil plugs left after aeration can be left on the lawn to dry and break down naturally, returning nutrients to the soil. You can also rake them out, compost them, or break them up by running a suitable lawnmower over the area.
If preferred, our gardeners can collect and dispose of the plugs or advise on the best method to incorporate them back into your lawn care routine.
After aerating your lawn, what should you do next?
After aerating your lawn, it's important to apply top-dressing if your lawn needs improved soil structure or drainage. You can also fertilise to encourage strong regrowth and overseed patchy areas for a thicker, healthier lawn. Water the lawn regularly, especially in dry weather.
Our local professionals can handle every step - from aeration to fertilising and overseeding, ensuring your lawn recovers quickly and grows stronger with minimal effort on your part.
Should I overseed my lawn after aeration?
This will depend entirely on the current condition of the lawn. If there are bare or bald patches overseeding may be necessary and after aeration is a good time to do it. Your gardeners will offer personalised advice once they've assessed your lawn.
Should I apply top-dressing or fertilizer after aeration?
Once again, this depends on the current condition of the lawn and you'll be advised by your gardeners when they've assessed it. As a general rule, dressing or fertilising after aeration is good practice.
How soon after aeration can the lawn be mowed?
You'll certainly need to wait for at least a week after aeration before mowing and for longer than that if at all possible. In general, we recommend mowing, and, if indicated, scarification BEFORE aeration. After laying your seeds, they will need some time to acclimate and set roots. Mow the lawn before aerating, or wait at least two weeks after the aeration. If you need any lawn care advice, don't hesitate to ask our professionals.
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