Quick answer
Warm-season grasses like Bermuda and zoysia are best aerated in late spring through early summer, once the lawn has fully greened up and is growing strongly. That timing lets the grass fill in the holes quickly.
Signs Your Lawn Needs Aeration
- Water runs off instead of soaking in
- Soil is hard to push a screwdriver into
- Thin grass in high-traffic areas
- Thick thatch layer you can feel underfoot
Before and After
Water the lawn a day or two before so the soil is moist but not muddy. That lets the machine pull deeper cores.
Leave the soil plugs on the lawn; they break down within a couple of weeks. Aerating is also a good time to fertilize or top-dress with compost.