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All about Lawn Aerators

There are two types lawn or grass aerators:

• Spike Type Aerators (straight spike pins)
• Core Type Aerators(punch hole)

Spike aerators use solid spikes to punch holes in the soil. Core aerators have hollow spikes and pull out plugs (or “cores”) of soil. Core aerators are preferred if compaction is a problem, because while a spike aerator only provides paths for air to contact the soil, the core aerator also reduces compaction by pulling out plugs of soil. For hobbyist lawn maintainers, there are spiked shoes that can be used to aerate a lawn, but these spikes, like the spike aerator, can actually increase compaction by compressing the soil as the spike enters. This may be an acceptable result if aeration is the primary goal and compaction is not a problem.

Engine Driven Machine Core Type Areator

In general, the spike shoes are considered almost a novelty item. Any serious lawn aerating should be done with a core aerator. Manual core and large holes aerators are the best. (Spiked typically do not work a well.) Hand aerators are great for doing perimeter, hard, yellowing spots or for small lawns. Even people who often hire a company to aerate for them, will often have a hand corer to help them go over trouble spots again or do a touch up aeration later on.

Core type aerators, are far superior to hand spike ones. Core type aerators  increase deep rooting and water extraction by 25% compared to the spike type.

A manual core or plug aerator will work just the same as a mechanical one. It will pull plugs of earth from your lawn allowing the grass root system to deepen and expand, finding more nutrients and water in the process.

Sandal or shoe type aerators

It will take some time to use these sandal or shoe type of lawn aerators.  Take your time in using these. you can usually buy these from Home Depot or Lowes. To produce a good result with them, you will need a few hours. We suggest two prong aerators that produce cores. You should be able to use your foot to push the hand aerator into the soil.

There are many different types of manual aerators. The best hand-held ones will have some way to hold them, and a bar to put your foot on to be able to push it down into the soil. These hand held aerators work better than aeration shoes or sandal because they produce longer lasting cores.

Why Aerate Your Grass or Lawn?

The ultimate KEY to having a healthy lawn year round is conducting lawn care and maintenance and that includes Aerating your lawn.  When properly completed, aerating gives the best benefit to the dirt and soil below with in-turn gives the best benefit tto your lawn. Healthy lawns and grass start right in the dirt or soil.  It’s the basis for greener grasses, longer living lawns.   Aerating the grass or lawn can improve the soil tremendously.

Aeration Refers to the extent of air gaps in the soil. Aeration commonly refers to the process of using machine powered(or hand powered) equipment to either puncture the soil with spikes (spike aeration) or remove approximately 1″X2″ cores of soil from the ground (core aeration). Spike aeration involves the use of an aeration machine with spikes up to a foot or more in length. Spike aeration is sometimes used to address drainage issues in areas with turf. Core aeration is done on turf areas as a means of reducing turf compaction, reducing thatch buildup, improving the infiltration of water/nutrients, and creating an environment where grass seed can have direct contact with the soil.

WHEN TO AERATE YOUR LAWN

Okay, so you’ve decided to aerate your lawn. How do you know when it needs to be aerated?

Here are some signs that you may need to aerate your lawn:

• There are worn areas where people walk often
• Water puddles after rain or irrigating (watering) your lawn
• Water runs off the lawn, after only a few minutes of watering
• There are areas in your lawn that just can’t seem to keep moist

The right type of aerator to improve the soil is called a punch-core aerator. These types of aerators usually work via hydraulics, and have several attachments that look like an apple corer which move up and down in the soil, removing cores of soil. You can generally tell if an area has been aerated a day or two ago by the cores of soil lying around on top of the grass. Sometimes, these types of aerators are available to rent from equipment rental companies, but more often you will need to contract with a professional landscaper to aerate for you, as they are more likely to own this piece of equipment. The average lawn attached to a single family home will not need to be aerated more than once or twice a year. That makes the expense of owning and keeping an aerator functioning prohibitive.

Benefits of Aerating Lawns

Aerating soil in your yard can have a number of different benefits, including:

• Aerating a lawn can help to break up lawn thatching.
• Aerating allows oxygen to get to the roots of the grass and down into the soil, allowing it to breathe.
• In aerating soil, lawn owners allow water to better soak into the soil and reach further down into the root system.
• Root systems grow best in looser systems. Lawn aeration loosens up tight, compacted soil and benefits the root system by allowing it to grow better and more quickly.
• Yard aerating allows organic fertilizers and nutrients to get down into the soil and get access to the root system.

This is by no means an all-inclusive list. There are many other benefits to aerating soil.
Advice on Aerating the Lawn. Aerating lawns can be difficult, especially for beginners. Make sure you have the right equipment and that your lawn actually needs aeration. Here are some other helpful tips:

• After you aerate, leave the cores or plugs out on the grass to dry before removing them. You may later rake them into the grass or allow them to break up on their own.
• Make sure you’re aware of where your sprinklers are before beginning the aeration process. Puncturing a sprinkler with an aerator can cause a great deal of damage and should be avoided at all costs
• Water your lawn well the day before you plan on aerating. Your soil must be soft and moist. However, be careful not to over-water, as aerating muddy soil is not easy or recommended.

Lawn Maintenance and Care Before and After Aerating

I’ve compiled a list of things to do prior to aerating your lawn:

1. WATER!  ALWAYS use your sprinklers and water the lawn prior to aerating.  Make sure you soak your lawn completely a few days prior to aerating it. What this does is helps to put water into the gaps between the soils particles and loosens the soil.  Aerating is stressful for the lawn, while it is happening, so it is important to keep the lawn watered throughout the process.One t hing to remember is that if you use a power aerator, it may be heavy and may put wheel marks or even press the soil downward.
2. Go ahead and cut your grass at about .5 of an inch or lower.

I’ve compiled a list of things to do AFTER aerating your lawn:

1. After the aeration, you should WATER  your lawn.  Depending on if  you will pick up the plugs or not.  If you decided to leave the grass plugs on the lawn(which helps with nutrients), watering will help with dissolving those plugs
2. One thing that I do, is lay down a nice thin sheet of compost or “topper”, and rake it in.