Is a Lawn Roller Worth It?

A lawn roller is a useful tool, but should not be a regular part of your landscape maintenance routine. ... While the soil should be moist before you roll the lawn, using a lawn roller on wet soils can increase soil compaction and decrease aeration, which endangers the health of your lawn.

Does rolling your lawn really work?

Rolling the lawn when it is soaked will encourage soil compaction, which makes it difficult for the grass to get the water and air that it needs. Rolling the lawn when it is dry will not be effective in pushing the seed or grass roots into contact with the soil. Do not use too heavy of a roller.

When should you use a lawn roller?

Lawn rollers are weighted rollers used to compact the soil when you're planting new grass. They are typically used on dry soil; wet soil can become so compact that grass seed or sod roots can't become established. However, there is a time when rolling slightly damp soil is key to proper grass growth.