Using an Aerator -- best frequency?

RedHawkRidge · Jul 15, 2015

Have 6+ acres of grass. Been improving the grass quality year by year, although have to work hard to recover each spring from snow melt/runoff, plus mole damage, etc. Bought a JD CA-2060 aerator this spring and gave the field a good "plugging" (deplugging?). It seems to have improved the grass density to where I think the amount of crabgrass is less.
Now that it's midsummer, I'm wondering if another pass is appropriate, or should I wait until early fall. I'm in Western Wis, so thinking early-mid Oct is a good time -- enough for an overseeding will take hold before it gets too cold.
Would appreciate any input regards how much aeration should be given before it's overkill.
thanks
jim

Rocky Hoffler · Jul 15, 2015

Don't know about snow buy its good to do when your fertlizing

Sprinklerman · Jul 15, 2015

Golf courses do it monthly

MossRoad · Jul 15, 2015

In your location, I'd say spring and fall are the best times. Avoid it in the hot summer months.

s219 · Jul 15, 2015

Fall and spring are great times to do it. I would not do it in summer.

RedHawkRidge · Jul 16, 2015

thanks for the comments. I have been iffy on doing another treatment with the aerator in the middle of summer, for reasons including a concern that I would just be opening up the ground for the crabgrass to flourish. The plan now for a thorough plugfest is early Sept. By the way, I just recalled last fall when I golfed some courses where they were really active with their aeration work (they were using an awesome power machine that plugs many small holes in a very dense pattern).
jim

rbtjr · Jul 17, 2015

I am in western NC. Around here most people who are planting fescue aerate in the spring and fall. Specifically, in the fall the aerating and over-seeding starts in mid-September and goes through October, maybe even a week or so into November. I personally try to aerate around Oct 1st when I do it. In Wisconsin I would expect the schedules to be a little earlier in the fall and a little later in the spring. Down here, I think the aeration starts in the spring around mid-March and is done through mid-May--always before it gets hot.