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Most lawns benefit from annual aeration to keep them healthy and thriving. If your lawn has a lot of thatch buildup—more than half an inch—you might need to aerate twice a year for a couple of years to get it under control. But if your soil isn't compacted and there's minimal thatch, you might be able to skip a year.

When you hire a professional lawn care company, a standard 10,000-square-foot lawn takes about 30 minutes to aerate. Uneven, sloped, or especially large lawns can take significantly more time. So, depending on your lawn's size and condition, the process can take anywhere from half an hour to several hours.

The best time to aerate your lawn is during the spring or fall when your grass is actively growing and the soil has enough moisture. Aerating once in the spring and once in the fall yields the best results. Avoid aerating when your lawn is dormant or right after heavy rain when the soil is too wet—that can make aeration less effective.

Even if your lawn looks healthy, aeration can still be beneficial. If you have good growth, proper drainage, and little thatch, you might not need to aerate right away. Regular aeration helps water and nutrients reach the roots, keeping your lawn strong over time. Keep an eye on your lawn's condition to decide when it might need aeration.