The number one enemy of healthy lawns is compacted soil. Air gets compressed out of the top layer of soil by children's play, heavy rains, foot traffic, parked cars, mowing and sometimes construction equipment. It is vital that the soil be opened up so air can enter it. That's where core aeration comes in.

Core aeration extracts plugs of soil leaving holes which allow air into the soil. Eventually, these holes fill with moisture and organic matter. This adds Nutrients to the soil and provides the perfect environment for soil organisms to break down organic matter in the soil thus providing nutrients for plants.

Aerate existing lawns in the spring or fall when temperatures are cool. This will avoid shocking the lawn. It's also a good idea to aerate your lawn before overseeding or putting in new sod. If you do aerate before installing sod, do not use a full weight roller on it. That will only compact the soil again.

First, mow the lawn at a shorter than usual setting. Then water the grass to moisten the soil. See your local dealer to rent a power core aerator if your lawn is medium to large in size and you wish to do the job in one day. If your lawn is small, or you wish to do the job over several days, you can use a hand core aerator. Hand core aerators are great for aerating in between stepping stones or regular maintenance on areas that receive lots of foot traffic. If you aerate those areas regularly, it will keep bare spots from cropping up. For the most effective aeration, holes should be 3 to 4 inches deep and 4 inches apart. Leave the soil plugs lying on the lawn. They will gradually dissolve in the rain providing nutrients to the grass. If they bother you, you can rake them to break them up and speed decomposition. This will also help to distribute the soil evenly over the lawn.