Wondering if you should aerate your lawn this fall?

According to the Iowa State University Extension Office, aeration “relieves soil compaction, improves water and nutrient movement in the soil, and prevents thatch accumulation.” In other words, it creates a healthier lawn.

In short, most lawns need aerated once a year.

Here’s a few tells to see if you need to aerate this year:

Puddles or runoff- if you have puddling in low places or runoff in high places after a light rain.
Bare spots- there are areas of your lawn that are thinning or bare; no grass is growing well or at all.
Screw Driver Test- take a screwdriver or other sturdy long object and try to push it in to the ground. If it doesn’t go at least 2” down, you’ve got compaction.
It’s been a while or you’ve never had it done.