Spike aeration uses a roller
with solid spikes to puncture the soil and create spaces for air and water
. Plug or core aerators use hollow tines to remove plugs of soil, leaving small gaps in the soil.
Which is better core or spike aerator?
Core aerators
do a much better job than spike aerators of breaking up severely compacted soil, and the holes they leave behind encourage healthy root growth and improve access to water and nutrients for the grass.
What is a spike aerator used for?
A spike aerator
makes holes into the ground to make the soil loose
. Unlike plug aerators, spike aerators do not remove any soil from the ground. They only poke holes in the ground to get rid of compaction. Spike aeration is great, but it gets rid of soil compaction on a short term basis.
What type of lawn aerator is best?
- BEST OVERALL: Brinly PA-40BH Tow Behind Plug Aerator.
- RUNNER-UP: Agri-Fab 45-0544 40-Inch Spike Aerator.
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Gardzen Plug Aeration, Hand Hollow Tine Lawn Aerator.
- BEST MANUAL: Yard Butler Lawn Coring Aerator.
How long should lawn aerator spikes be?
Longer tines (the spikes on the aerator) of
at least 4 inches
are a good choice. This allows water and fertilizer to penetrate deeper into the soil. Make sure that when you aerate, it pulls the plugs out of your lawn vs spiking (solid tines that penetrate the lawn and push soil down into the earth.)
Is there a bad time to aerate your lawn?
Aeration
can take place at any time of the year
, but the best time is usually in the spring/early summer or fall. The general recommendation is to core aerate when there is the most root growth.
What month Should I aerate my lawn?
Ideally, aerate the lawn with cool season grass in the
early spring or autumn
and those with warm season grass in the late spring. When experiencing prolonged dry conditions and drought, aeration is recommended. This will improve the passage for water and nutrients to reach the lawns roots when watering is limited.
Can you aerate too much?
As a general rule,
you shouldn’t need to aerate more than once a year at any time
(“too much of a good thing” applies here, since you don’t want to damage your soil).
Should I pick up plugs after aerating?
Those aeration plugs are vital to the health of your lawn. Resist the urge to “clean” the lawn after it’s been aerated, and whatever you do,
don’t remove the plugs
.
Can you aerate in the rain?
You
can aerate a lawn when it is wet provided that it is not excessively wet
. Lawn aeration involves making small holes on a lawn’s surface at regular intervals and moist soil helps the process. However, depending on the soil type, excessive moisture can hamper the process.
Is it better to aerate or dethatch?
Should I aerate or dethatch first?
It is best to dethatch first before aerating your lawn
. This way, you’ll remove the excess debris and promote healthy root development. Aerating is best done when there’s the problem of compaction.
Is aerating your lawn worth it?
No,
it’s not necessary to aerate your lawn every year
, especially if your grass is healthy and thriving. Aeration is good if you’ve got compacted, poor or clay-heavy soil that’s been impacted by heavy equipment or lots of foot traffic. It’s also good to aerate if you are renovating a yard or installing a new one.
How Much Should lawn aeration cost?
Professional Lawn Care Aeration and Treatment
The cost to aerate your lawn by hiring a lawn care company is about
$15 to $17 per thousand square feet
. The average lawn size is about ten thousand square feet, making the average aeration cost around $150.
Should I aerate before seeding?
As with most larger lawn projects, such as planting grass seed, it’s best to aerate
during or right before the time your grasses reach their peak time for natural growth
. … When aeration coincides with active growth, grasses recover quickly and fill in areas where aerator equipment exposes soil.
When should I spike aerate?
The best time for aeration is during the growing season, when the grass can heal and fill in any open areas after soil plugs are removed. Ideally, aerate the lawn with cool season grass in the
early spring or fall
and those with warm season grass in the late spring.
How do I aerate my lawn manually?
Push a hand aerifier’s hollow tubes into the grass’ soil
, and pull them out of the soil. Leave the removed soil cores on the lawn’s surface. Repeat the procedure every 4 to 6 inches throughout the entire lawn. Alternatively, push a spading fork into the lawn’s soil to a depth of 4 inches.
