We’ve talked a lot about the importance of timing in lawn care. When grass reaches 2 inches tall in the spring, you can start to mow (anything shorter can cause damage to grass roots). Six weeks before the first frost, you can apply fertilizer to improve lawn health (any later and grass roots may no longer be active).

This same sentiment applies to the order of lawn care techniques as well. Let’s say your lawn soil has a low pH level, is highly acidic and also suffers from compaction because of heavy foot traffic. These are signs that your yard could benefit from both lime for lawns and aeration.

If you apply lime for lawns before aeration, chances are you’ll miss out on opportunities to boost its effectiveness. We’ll share the reason why here.

Lime for Lawns & Aeration: Why Order Matters

To best understand this comparison, let’s do a quick recap of what these two lawn care techniques entail.

In the case of lime for lawns, compounds are added to the soil to alter its pH level and offset acidity. Soil test results dictate how much lime your lawn needs, with applications best suited for the fall or springtime. Fall is especially beneficial as freeze and thaw cycles help accelerate the breakdown of lime for lawns and put it to work.

In the case of aeration, thousands of tiny roles are added to your lawn to create pockets that allow moisture to easily pass through to the root system and stimulate growth. Best left for the spring or fall as well, the fall application is particularly valuable in helping lawns hold up to the stress of winter conditions.

When you think about the nature of aeration, its overarching goal is to let the soil breathe. The pockets it creates aren’t just letting in air and water; they are also opening up paths for other nutrients you add to the soil — lime included. Wider pores mean that lime granules can sink deeper into the soil structure and reach grass roots. So rather than just improving the top few layers of soil, you can (quite literally) get to the root of the problem.

Let Weed Pro Get You Off to the Right Start

Now that we know why aeration should come first in your lawn care routine, it’s time to consider your options. Whereas DIY routes can take up a lot of your time and deliver less than optimal results, hiring a professional saves you labor and offers the added benefit of professional experience and equipment.

Here at Weed Pro, aeration is one of the services we offer — a list that also includes fertilization and weed control, insect and grub control and tree and shrub care, among others. We combine these services to create lawn care packages that address the unique needs and challenges of Ohio properties, and make lawns healthier and thicker. For a free quote, contact your local provider today.