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How to aerate your lawn

A patchy lawn needs aeration with areas of dry grass bordered by lush green shrubs and a black fence.

Overview

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.

Steps

  1. 1

    Choose the right time

    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.

    A person is checking a patchy lawn by touching a bare spot to check the best time for aeration.
  2. 2

    Mow your lawn

    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.

    A Bunnings Team Member wearing ear protection is mowing a lawn before aerating with a Ryobi lawnmower
  3. 3

    Mark any irrigation pipes

    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.

    A person in work boots is using blue marking paint to indicate the location of irrigation pipes on a grassy lawn.
  4. 4

    Aerate your lawn

    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.

    A person wearing work boots is using a garden fork to aerate a grassy lawn.
  5. 5

    Water and fertilise

    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.

    A person is using a garden hose to water a lawn to help the roots absorb nutrients.
  6. 6

    Combine with other lawn care tasks

    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.

  7. 7

    Looking for more ways to take care of your lawn?

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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. 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.