Lawn aeration helps keep your lawn healthy, but the cost for this process can vary. If you’re considering an aeration method, keep this common lawn aeration cost information in mind.

Why Is Lawn Aeration Necessary?

You might need lawn aeration if compacted soil is blocking water and oxygen from penetrating your lawn. Compacted soil can happen if you drive vehicles over your lawn, have pets that frequently run through the yard and more—and it can cause your lawn to not get the nutrients it needs. Some common signs your lawn needs to be aerated include:

• Bare spots
• Water pooling
• Weeds

In addition to the above factors, you’re more likely to have compacted soil if you live in an area with clay soil. If you live in an area with sandy soil, you’re less likely to have soil compaction issues.

Common Lawn Aeration Cost: 2 Options

If you think your lawn needs to be aerated, you can do it yourself or you can use a lawn care company. Costs for lawn aeration vary by your method of choice and by company.

DIY Common Lawn Aeration Cost

Prep

When you choose to do lawn aeration on your own, you’ll need to prep your lawn for the process. While the steps to prep your lawn for aeration may not have a cost, they do require some time and work. You’ll need to:

• Water your lawn so it’s soft and can be easily penetrated
• Mark off the areas that need treatment
• Pick up any items in the areas that need treatment

After you’ve prepped your lawn, you’ll need to decide if you want to buy or rent a core aerator.

Buying

If you have a small lawn or only a small area that needs treatment, you can buy a manual core aerator. This aerator has two or three large spikes, so it’s not ideal for large treatment areas. Manual core aerators can be found at large home improvement stores and usually cost between $25 and $30.

If you need to treat a large area, you can purchase a larger aerator that attaches to the back of a lawn mower for about $200.

Renting

Alternatively, you can rent a core aerator for about $60 for four hours or $90 for an entire day. Renting will likely also require a deposit, which will be refunded if you don’t damage the item and return it promptly.

Keep in mind, renting an aerator means you’ll need the proper vehicle to transport it to your residence. If you don’t have a truck or trailer available, you may have to rent a vehicle to haul the aerator, which could add to your rental expenses.

Overseeding and Fertilizing

Adding overseeding and fertilizing to your lawn aeration process can make your lawn more lush and healthier. Spring and fall are the best times to overseed and fertilize your grass thanks to cooler temperatures. While prices for overseeding and fertilizing vary based on lawn size, you can expect a cost of about $150 for seed and fertilizer.

Professional Lawn Care Company Common Lawn Aeration Cost

Hiring a lawn care company to aerate your lawn will cost about $15 to $17 per thousand square feet. For most, the average cost is about $150, however, if you add overseeding and fertilizing the cost could go up to $250-300.

Before you select a lawn care company to aerate your lawn or you go the do-it-yourself route, consider:

• How often you’d like to aerate your lawn
• The size of the area that needs treatment
• How much time you want to devote to working on your lawn
• Your budget
• Whether or not your lawn needs fertilizer and overseeding