When do you aerate your lawn?

[jimbob200521]

I've read late spring is the best time to do it but you know how accurate it can be when you read random links online. I'm supposed to be picking up a plug aerator this weekend but don't want to jump the gun. I'm in North-West Illinois for what it matters, with a lawn that I inherited with the house we bought last fall (I.E. I don't know what kind of grass it is). My question is when do y;all aerate your lawn? I'm thinking mid to late spring but don't want to jump the gun. Thanks guys!

[J-Mech]

A spike aerator is better if you are not laying down fertilizer or seed. But either will work. You want to do it before it rains if you are using a plug style... otherwise you will have little plugs everywhere for a while....
Earlier the better. The fall is a good time too.

[Berwil]

Like already mentioned, spring or fall is best. You can help the plugs go away faster by dragging a piece of chain link fence around after aerating to break up the plugs.

Bill

[nikster]

What I do.

After 1 or 2 firsts cut of the year. Couple days after a rain so the ground isn't rock hard. I leave my plugs cause they get chopped up with cutting. I then use a 10/10/10 fertilizer 2x a year
As far as weeds go, I have a friend of a friend that comes over every spring & when it gets to around 80deg., sprays my lawn for weeds & crabgrass. Then during the year I spot spray with a 2gal. Hand held sprayer to keep after an occasional pesky weeds that pops up.
This works for me & my acre of grass. Not picture perfect as an advertisement ad in a magazine but........... I'm happy with the results

Nik

Also, I de-thatch my lawn before aerating, & again early fall.

[gmbadgley]

With my lawn (?) right now about all it would do is give the water someplace to go! There was 6" of standing water last weekend.

[green 4 acres]

any time you want really
when it pulls a plug I do mine in the middle of summer also ,when the dirt is packed tight and it still makes it a bit greener as plants need air to the roots plus if you get a quick down pour it lets it get to the roots
the plugs break up in weeks I find

[Trekrider60]

I do mine in the fall with a plug aerator after what I think will be the last mowing and the ground is soft enough for it to do its job. That way the rain can melt the plugs and I don't track the mud around. But I think you could do it anytime the ground is soft enough to get the plugger of spikes to penetrate.

[ACecil]

I'm going to aerate next week, after we get a good rain this coming Monday.

[IH Cub Cadet]

I aerate for 3 reasons.

1. To loosen ground compacted by driving on it.

2. Give a place for seed and fertilizer to get into.

3. Another excuse for seat time...

I just did my yard, trying to hit it and put down fertilizer while there are a few more frosts to come.

Here is my 1650 puling my plug areator.