Do I really need to aerate my lawn? No, it's not necessary to aerate your lawn every year, especially if your grass is healthy and thriving. Aeration is good if you've got compacted, poor or clay-heavy soil that's been impacted by heavy equipment or lots of foot traffic. It's also good to aerate if you are renovating a yard or installing a new one. Compaction, which can also be caused by ample rainfall or low spots that do not drain well, reduces air spaces in soil. Roots require oxygen to grow and absorb nutrients and water. If you're in doubt about aeration, OKC Lawn Spraying recommends you remove a square foot section of lawn at least 6 inches deep. If grass roots extend only into the first 1-2 inches, your soil may be compacted and could benefit from aeration. Always do "core aeration," which involves a machine that removes plugs of soil. Aerations benefits your lawn in several ways, including: - Increases the activity of soil microorganisms that decompose thatch. - Improves water, nutrient and oxygen movement into the soil. - Improves rooting. - Enhances infiltration of rainfall or irrigation. - Helps prevent fertilizer and pesticide runoff from overly compacted areas. Newly seeded or sodded lawns should not be aerated in the first year.