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The fantastic way to encourage healthier, stronger grass is to aerate your lawn. By breaking up compacted soil, aerating allows water, nutrients, and air to reach the roots, helping your lawn thrive.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
The best time to aerate your lawn is during early spring or autumn when the grass is actively growing. This gives the roots the best chance to absorb water and nutrients. If you live in a northern state, aerating at the end of the wet season is ideal for achieving great results.
Before aerating, mow your lawn quite short. Trimming the grass down ensures the lawn aerator can penetrate the soil more easily. This simple step helps set you up for success.
If you have an irrigation system installed, it’s important to mark where the pipes are before you start. This prevents accidental damage while aerating. You can use flags, pegs, or any visible markers to identify pipe locations.
For smaller lawns, a garden fork is a great tool for aeration. Push the fork into the soil about 8–10 centimetres deep, then wiggle it back and forth to open up the soil. Repeat this process across the entire lawn, spacing the holes about 10–15 centimetres apart. If you’re working with a larger lawn, consider using a grass lawn aerator. This tool is specifically designed for aerating and makes the process much faster.
Another fun option is to use lawn aerator shoes, which have spikes on the soles. Simply strap them on and walk around your lawn. It’s an easy way to get some exercise while helping your grass at the same time. If the soil feels too hard to penetrate, water the area lightly and come back to it later. Softening the soil will make the process much easier.
After aerating, water your lawn thoroughly to help the roots absorb nutrients. For an extra boost, apply some fertiliser to give your grass everything it needs to grow strong and healthy.
Aerating pairs well with other major lawn care tasks, like top dressing. These activities are most effective during the active growing seasons, which are typically mid-to-late spring and summer for most grass types. Combining tasks saves time and ensures your lawn gets the best possible care. Aerating is easy to do and delivers great results, giving you vibrant, lush grass that you can enjoy year-round.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
