Lawn aeration in Raleigh reduces soil compaction and improves airflow, water absorption, and nutrient flow to the root zone helping your grass grow in thicker, healthier, and greener.
It’s one of the most effective ways to achieve a truly healthy lawn in our region. Most properties we service benefit from core aeration once a year.
We recommend aerating cool-season grasses like fescue in early fall, while warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia respond best to late spring aeration in Raleigh and surrounding Wake County neighborhoods.
Lawn aeration is a service that removes small cores “plugs” of soil from the lawn to reduce compaction and thatch buildup. This improve the flow of air, water, and essential nutrients and allows root systems to grow deeper and stronger, which leads to a thicker, more resilient lawn.
We use commercial grade core aeration equipment, not spikes or shoes. This method provides deeper, more effective results and is ideal for homeowners in Raleigh.
Lawns here in the greater Raleigh area deal with a unique combination of red clay soil, seasonal rain, and summer heat. Over time, this leads to compaction making it harder for grass to grow, even if you’re watering and fertilizing regularly.
Here’s why aeration is especially important here:
Not sure if your yard could benefit from core aeration? Look for the following signs:
Water pools or runs off during irrigation or rainfall
Grass is thinning, browning, or not responding to treatment
Soil feels hard when walking across the yard
Bare patches are slow to recover
It’s been more than a year since your last aeration
If any of these apply, aeration is a smart next step.
We mow (if needed) to prepare the area
Our aeration machine pulls small plugs throughout the lawn
(optional) Adding grass seed immediately after aeration helps fill bare spots and thicken your lawn.
The entire service usually takes less than an hour for most residential properties. Visible improvement usually begins within two to three weeks, especially if combined with overseeding and proper watering.
Ready to get started?
If your grass has bare patches or looks thin overall, pairing aeration with overseeding is the best way to restore thickness and color. The plugs created during aeration help our high-quality grass seed blends reach the soil and take root faster.
Learn about all things turf at NC State TurfFiles.
Plan around rainfall for the best results using WRAL Weather Forecast in Raleigh.
View more helpful resources in our Resource Center.
Most of our clients also take advantage of our other lawn and landscaping services throughout the year to keep their property in top condition. Check out what we have to offer:
We respond to all quote requests within 12 hours — but during business hours, we’ll typically get back to you within minutes.
Looking for fast, professional, and affordable lawn aeration in Raleigh? You won’t have to wait long. We respond quickly and get you on our schedule without delay.
Fast Scheduling: Most aeration jobs are scheduled within 3–7 business days. If you’re located near a current route, we can often get to you even sooner.
Service Days: We aerate lawns across Raleigh and nearby areas throughout the week, Monday through Saturday.
When you book your lawn aeration service with us, you get fast, reliable service and results you can see in just a few weeks.
We provide our top-rated lawn aeration services throughout Raleigh and nearby communities. If you’re located in or near one of these neighborhoods, we likely already service your area. Lets get to aerating your lawn next!
If you’re not sure whether your home falls within our service area, feel free to reach out.
We’re always expanding our routes and can often fit in new clients quickly—especially if you’re near an existing stop.
Lawn aeration Raleigh prices typically range from $200 – $350 for most residential properties. The exact cost depends on the size of your lawn, how compacted the soil is, and whether you bundle aeration with other services like overseeding or fertilization. Larger or sloped properties may be on the higher end, while smaller, flat yards are often more affordable.
Want to get an exact price on how much it will be for your yard? We offer free, no obligation quotes so you can see exactly how much lawn aeration service would cost for your property.
You’ve got plenty options for lawn aeration here in Raleigh. There are lawn care companies, smaller solo operators, and a bunch of other local businesses. But not all of them have the expertise, equipment, or local experience to do the job right. And just as important, not all of them prioritize customer service the way we do. We’ve seen homeowners left waiting, overcharged, or unsure of what they were even getting.
Choose us if you want a team that shows up on time, communicates clearly, and gets the job done right the first time. We use commercial-grade core aeration equipment, work with Raleigh homeowners every day, and understand the local soil and grass types inside and out. We’re highly rated with a reputation for outstanding customer service and doing great work.
The best time to aerate in Raleigh depends on the type of grass you have. Cool-season lawns like fescue should be aerated in early fall between September and October when the grass is in its active growing season and can recover quickly.
Warm-season grass like Bermuda or Zoysia, late spring to early summer is ideal, typically around May or early June.
Timing matters. Aerating during your lawn’s active growth period gives it the best chance to recover, develop deeper grass roots, and take full advantage of water and nutrients.
If you’re unsure what type of grass you have, we’re happy to take a look and recommend the right schedule.
No, you don’t need to remove the plugs left behind after core aeration. They’ll break down naturally over the next week or two with rain, watering, and mowing. As they decompose, they actually help return nutrients to the soil and improve its structure.
It might look a little messy at first, but leaving the plugs in place is part of what makes aeration effective. Just keep mowing and watering like normal, and they’ll disappear on their own.
Fertilizing after aeration is a smart move—especially if your lawn hasn’t been fertilized in a while.
Aeration opens up the soil, so nutrients can reach the roots easier. Applying fertilizer right after helps further boost recovery, deepen root growth, and support new grass if you’re also overseeding.
If you’re doing fall aeration for a fescue lawn in Raleigh, pairing it with a high-quality starter or balanced fertilizer can make a noticeable difference in how quickly your lawn fills in.
Homeowners across Raleigh and Wake County count on us for reliable service and noticeable results. From first contact, we focus on clear communication, timely visits, and doing exactly what we say we will. With years of experience and a reputation built on professionalism and trust, we’re proud to be the go-to choice for lawn care that’s done right.
Don’t just take our word for it—see what local homeowners are saying:
Mark did a great job on our lawn. He was super friendly and very professional and got to us a day after contacting him. I will certainly use him in the future ...
- M. L.
5-Star Google Review
Great work at a great price. Best customer service around. Knowledgeable, works efficiently, and in timely manner providing quality results. Highly Recommend for your lawn.
- Brandon Sharrock
5-Star Google Review
EXCELLENT Based on 52 reviews Jaden WilliamsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been using On The Block Lawn Care for a while now and have nothing but good things to say. They’re dependable, showing up when they say they will, and their prices are always fair. Thank you Mark & crew for doing a great job every time BakaysaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mark and Jack are great young men full of integrity and care for the customer. They take care in their work and put their customer satisfaction first. Thank you. Mario ArnoldTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was satisfied with Mark's work. Diana KaridesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mark is my neighbors' lawn guy and while he was cutting their grass I asked if he would cut mine. He did!! And did a great job! I was so appreciative and will definitely hire him to cut my lawn! WeneTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. On The Block Lawn Care does amazing work. They're responsive, professional, and reliable. I highly recommend for bush trimming and lawn care services sujay kumarTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had requested for lawn mowing service in the last minute, not only they accommodated me but, the turn around was very quick and the job was well done. I would definitely recommend them for any lawn service. Todd LewisTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service from Mark and On the Block! His communication is excellent, and the yard looks great! Nadya KakhovskyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We requested the lawn mowing in short notice and weather was not supporting a quick service. Mark was keeping us updated twice a day during the delay time which was much appreciated. When he arrived for the service, all our questions were fully and professionally answered before the start. He gave us very good advices what is needed for our lawn. When he left our yard looked neat and all the extras like edging, picking up debris were done without asking. The pricing was very fair, too. The company is family owned by two brothers, which is heart warming and respectful. We look forward to work with Mark and Jack. THANK YOU, GUYS! Dawn MorganTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. On The Block has provided excellent lawn mowing services for us. They communicate very well, always letting us know when they'll arrive, if weather requires a delay, and finished photos of their work. Michelle ReillyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I would use and recommend On the Block Lawn Care again, as Mark and his Team were professional, on time and did a great job. We hired them to pine straw our property this year (instead of us doing it ourselves). Mark communicated with me often (which is not often found) and did a fantastic job and prices was very fair. Highly recommend.
Best Lawn Care Raleigh is run by the same team behind On The Block Lawn Care — the name you’ll see in the reviews above. Click here to learn more.
Let’s turn your compacted soil or bare patches into a healthy, beautiful lawn you can be proud of.
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