What is Lawn Aeration?
Aeration improves lawn health by allowing roots to access water, air, and nutrients more easily.
Lawn Aeration is the process of using a lawn aerator to poke small holes in your soil so that the grass can receive water, air, and the vital nutrients it needs to grow as healthy as possible. It’s a crucial part of lawn care and can improve the overall health and appearance of your lawn.
Aeration on lawn is the most effective way of reducing sub-surface thatch and soil compaction in lawns. Compacted soil causes shallow roots, stunting grass growth and encouraging the development of moss.
If your lawn needs aerating, you may find the soil is hard to touch, waterlogged lawn when it rains, and your lawn is spongy underfoot. A garden aerator or grass aerator can help address these issues by improving the soil structure.
See How Lawn Aeration Works
The benefits of Lawn Aeration
Relieves compaction in the soil.
Thins out below-the-surface thatch.
Reduces/removes the moss loving environment.
Allows air, water and nutrients to reach the root zone.
Encourages grass root development.
Improves the lawn’s ability to cope with drought and disease.
At GreenThumb we offer both Hollow-tine Aeration and Fracture-tine Aeration.
We recommend aeration in lawn as an essential part of our turf aeration services to keep your lawn looking lush and vibrant. We also suggest completing scarification after aerating your lawn to achieve the best results for lawn care aeration. We include an Aeration Service with both our Standard and Ultimate Treatment Programmes.
Hollow-tine Aeration
Hollow-Tine Aeration relieves soil compaction by creating small holes in the lawn, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots more effectively.
By opening up the soil structure, aeration improves root development, enhances lawn resilience, and supports healthier, greener growth. It’s especially beneficial during times of high foot traffic or after dry periods when the soil becomes dense and hard.
Fracture-tine Aeration
Fracture-tine aeration is a less invasive alternative to hollow-tine aeration. Instead of removing soil, angled blades slice into the turf and twist, creating small fractures below the surface.
This process relieves mild compaction, improves airflow, and enhances water and nutrient movement to the roots—without leaving visible plugs. It’s ideal for well-maintained lawns needing routine aeration with minimal surface disruption.
Aeration & Scarification—Included in Our Standard Programme
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Why Lawn Aeration Matters
Over time, lawns become compacted—restricting air, water, and nutrients from reaching the roots. Aeration relieves this compaction by creating thousands of small holes in the soil, improving drainage, encouraging deeper root growth, and enhancing overall lawn health. This short video shows how our professional aeration treatment works to revitalise your lawn from the ground up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unsure if Your Lawn Needs Aeration?
Let’s talk. Book a free consultation and one of our lawn experts will be in touch to help you decide what your lawn needs.
A Complete Lawn Care Plan, Made Simple
Your lawn deserves more than just one treatment. That’s why our tailored Programmes combine the right services, at the right time, to keep your grass healthy, resilient, and looking its best all year round. Explore our Basic, Standard, and Ultimate options to find the perfect plan for your garden.
Basic
Programme
Five expert Core Treatments delivered throughout the year to keep your lawn healthy, hydrated, and looking great.
Backed by nearly 40 years of lawn care experience, this programme delivers reliable results with trusted expertise.
Standard Programme
All five Core Treatments, plus annual Aeration and Scarification to boost lawn health and appearance.
These extra treatments reduce thatch, relieve compaction, and strengthen roots for a greener, stronger lawn.
Ultimate
Programme
Our most advanced plan, combining Core Treatments with NutraBooster+, Top Dressing, Overseeding, Oasis, Pest & Disease Management, and machine work.
Designed to deliver maximum lawn health, strength, and year-round resilience.
Lawns You’ll Love All Year Round
A healthy lawn is more than just grass, it’s where memories are made. Explore how our treatments help create beautiful, resilient lawns for every lifestyle.
*Figures shown are approximate and based on available data. For illustrative purposes only.
Discover How to Strengthen Your Lawn
Explore practical solutions and seasonal treatments that combat common lawn problems.
Want a thicker, healthier lawn?
Aeration and Scarification improve overall soil health by boosting airflow, nutrients, and water to grass roots. These essential treatments reduce compaction and thatch, promoting stronger, greener, and more resilient grass.
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NutraGreen Autumn/Winter
Our NutraGreen Autumn/Winter Long treatment boosts your lawn with a micronutrient feed, improving winter resilience. Applied October to December, it also dries out moss,, while aiding recovery from aeration and scarification.
Read more
Lawn Scarification
Lawn Scarification is a mechanical process that reduces surface thatch, allowing essential elements like water, air, and fertilisers to reach the grass roots, promoting a healthier, more resilient lawn.
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