To dig deeper, tow-behind aerators come with a tray above the tines for adding extra weight. Connect the lawn aerator to the tow hitch on the mower and quickly cover a lot of ground. In this case, a tow-behind aerator might make sense.
If you have a riding lawn mower, you probably have a large lawn. Aeration with handheld tools takes a little more time and physical effort, but it works. A dual-handle grip (placed high on the tool to prevent back pain) and a strong foot platform allow landscapers to step onto the tool to drive the hollow tines or spikes into the soil repeatedly across the entire lawn. They come in both plug and spike varieties. Handheld aerator models typically work best on small lawns. If the goal is to break down compacted soil, opt for a handheld or tow-behind plug aerator. These aerators most often have spikes, not hollow tines, which make them better suited to lawns without compaction.Ī bit harder to find, push aerators require more effort to force the tines into the soil. Push aeratorswork best in small areas, especially those with obstacles like playsets and trees that require a little finesse to navigate. The size of your lawn and the amount of physical labor you can handle will determine which type of aerator works best for you. Spike aerators tend to work best with looser soil, especially if your goal is to increase root exposure to fertilizer or create spaces for grass seed to settle without running off the soil’s surface. They might not do the trick for dense soil. They typically work well on less compacted soil and sod. Instead, they puncture the soil with long spikes and allow air and water to reach the roots. Spike aerators don’t remove soil from the yard. The result is a healthy root system below and a lush lawn above. The holes create spaces in the soil that allow roots to expand, water to soak in deeper, and air to circulate. Whether your lawn has all or just one of these indicators, it will benefit from a plug aerator. Frequent foot traffic has hardened the soil.Water pools in the grass or runs off onto sidewalks after a rainfall.Home landscapers can either leave these plugs in place to decompose or collect them with a rake or lawn mower.Ĭandidates for plug aeration include lawns where: Plug aerators penetrate the lawn with hollow tines that remove plugs of soil. Aeration Methodsĭepending on the method of aeration that’s best for your lawn, you may use one of two types of tools: a spike or a plug (also called a “core”). These tools simply scrape and remove the thatch without digging into the surface. In that case, a lawn dethatcher might be all it takes. That’s compacted grass, leaf litter, and other materials. Your soil may not be breathing because there’s a thick layer of thatch on top. Until the sod can take root and make a connection to the rough soil underneath, it’s just a grass carpet sitting on top of the soil. For lawns built up from sod, a yard aerator can be a necessity.Is your lawn the neighborhood ball field? When a yard sees a lot of use, such as children, parties, pets, and other foot traffic, you should think about lawn aeration.Between the work crew’s trucks and heavy equipment passing over the soil, there’s a good chance you need to aerate your lawn. For newly constructed homes, aeration is almost always a good idea.But if one of the following scenarios applies to your lawn, you should consider aeration. Photo: Who Should Aerate Their Lawnīefore you run out and poke holes in your lawn, understand that not all lawns require aeration. BEST SHOES AERATOR: Plantnomics Lawn Aerator Shoes with Hook-and-Loop.BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Agri-Fab 45-0299 48-Inch Tow Plug Aerator.BEST MANUAL: Yard Butler Lawn Coring Aerator.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Gardzen Plug Aeration, Hand Hollow Tine Lawn Aerator.RUNNER UP: Agri-Fab 45-0544 40-Inch Spike Aerator.BEST OVERALL: Brinly PA-40BH Tow Behind Plug Aerator.We did a deep dive into the specifications, features, and customer reviews for each of the products below. We scoured the market to present a list of top picks in a variety of categories. This could be the key that unlocks the gate to greener pastures. To make matters worse, drainage suffers as well, and a thick thatch layer-a mix of dead stems, leaves, and roots-often develops between the soil and the grass.Ī yearly pass with a lawn aerator creates space for air and water to reach your lawn’s roots. It often happens in lawns with heavy clay soil and lawns that receive a lot of foot traffic. If bare patches persist despite your best efforts, compacted soil is the likely culprit.Ĭompaction occurs when soil pockets deflate and air, water, and nutrients can no longer circulate around the roots. Grass requires regular watering, mowing, and weeding to stay verdant and lush.
Maintaining a lawn is demanding, no question about it.
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