Q: Is early March a good time to aerate my lawn? I’m planning to add lime as well.
-H.M., Williamsburg
A: Aerating any time you can is worth doing—the benefits are that important. If you do it in spring, do it before putting down pre-emergent weed control. If you aerate after a pre-emergent application, you will break the barrier. As for lime, again, anytime is good. Be sure to test the soil first. People often put down lime as a knee-jerk reaction because they’ve heard it’s important. It is important, but only if the pH tests indicates it’s necessary. Otherwise, it may be harmful.
-Joe Hertzler
