Is a plug aerator worth it?
While plug aerators don’t pull up any buried treasure, they give you a fantastic one: a healthy, verdant lawn with loose soil and well-nourished root systems. You can install inexpensive manual plug aerators into your lawn if you have a small lawn or one that isn’t heavily compacted. AFTER AERATION, DON’T: Don’t pick up the cores. A landscaper should leave the plugs on the lawn’s surface. The plugs will break down soon enough and provide plenty of nutrients to the turf.As we’ve established, don’t remove aeration plugs. It takes approximately one to two weeks for the plugs to break down on their own, but there are some things you can do to help the plugs break down faster to tidy up the lawn.For best results, aerate lawns when the soil is moist. Avoid aeration when soils are dry or wet. The tubes or tines will not be able to penetrate deeply when the soil is dry.If you don’t have an aerator, a simple garden fork is one of the best tools for the job. Simply push it into the soil every few inches, wiggling it to loosen the ground. Water your lawn a day before aerating to soften the soil, and make sure to work methodically to cover the entire lawn.
What is better, a spike or plug aerator?
Spike aerators create holes by pushing spikes into the soil. Plug aerators remove soil plugs, improving air and water flow. Choose spike for less soil disruption; plug for better long-term results. To determine whether your lawn needs to be aerated, dig up a small section of your grass, and examine the roots. If there are less than two inches of root growth, your lawn could benefit from being aerated. If you know that you have clay-based soil, aeration is a necessity for a healthy lawn.Spike aeration is a widespread and cost-effective method for aerating your grass. Much like garden forks, these tools puncture your grass, create small, but deep, holes, and allow the soil to “breathe” once more.Aerating a lawn with a rolling spike aerator is quicker and easier than using a garden fork, but still requires quite a lot of effort, so is best used on small lawns.Aerating is easiest on you (or your equipment operator) and your lawn when your soil is moist from irrigation or rainfall the day before. Overly dry soil can be tough to aerate, so moisture eases the process. Never aerate overly wet lawns; wait a few days instead.
What’s better, a spike or plug aerator?
Plug is almost always better. Spikes just push the dirt aside while plug aerators remove the dirt. You do have the issue with the plugs being left all over the yard but this is usually not a problem as they break down over time. Plug Aerators Are Better Than Spike Aerators Both methods allow for drainage and create more space for roots to grow, but plug aeration causes less compaction and gives your lawn more time to take advantage of the aeration process.On the other hand, one drawback of core aeration is that it can be invasive for your lawn. Because professionals mechanically pull up plugs of soil during this process, it can leave behind holes in the ground where those plugs were removed. As a result, it can stress it out.Should I Fertilize or Aerate First? In most cases, aerating is best before laying fertilizer as it allows for more oxygen and deeper growth of grass roots. If you have compact soil or clay soil, it is especially crucial to aerate before so that the fertilizer reaches deeper roots.Before aerating and overseeding, it’s best to mow down your grass type to its lowest recommended point (without breaking the one-third rule, of course). Why? Well, a shorter lawn sets the perfect scene for aeration and seeding to happen.The Right Conditions for Aeration The ideal time for aeration is during mild, dry conditions when the soil is moist but not soggy. This allows the aeration tools to penetrate effectively without causing compaction or damage.
Which type of aerator is best?
Types of Aerators – Spike Versus Plug Aerators Spike aerators are suited for smaller lawns that are mildly compacted while plug aerators are ideal for larger and more compacted lawns. Plug aerators open the ground up to more ventilation compared to spike aerators. It’s too late to aerate and overseed your cool-season lawn as the season transitions from late fall into early winter. In many regions across the US, this could be around November. If you live in a frosty area, be sure to aerate and overseed at least 45 days before the first frost.You want to aerate the lawn when your grass is in its peak growing period so it can recover quickly—think early spring or fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer for warm-season grasses. If you have high-traffic areas or heavy clay soil, you will want to aerate every year.Lawn Overseeding It’s important to note that professional lawn aeration and overseeding should be performed at the same time to achieve the best possible results. When overseeding is performed at the same time, it allows the seeds to fall into the holes created by the aerator and generate better seed-to-soil contact.After aeration, it is best to avoid heavy traffic on your lawn for at least two weeks. The holes created in the soil need time to heal and settle, and heavy traffic can cause further damage to the grass. Avoid parking heavy equipment or vehicles on your lawn during this time.On the other hand, one drawback of core aeration is that it can be invasive for your lawn. Because professionals mechanically pull up plugs of soil during this process, it can leave behind holes in the ground where those plugs were removed. As a result, it can stress it out.
How do I choose the right aerator?
If it’s about the size of a nickel, you have a Junior size aerator. If your aerator is approximately the size of a dime, you’ll need a Tom Thumb ® size aerator. Remember that some faucets are oddly sized and you may need an adapter – either to change the threading of your faucet or to ensure a proper fit. You can measure your faucet, or use a simple shortcut using coins. If your faucet is roughly the size of a nickel, it needs a regular-size aerator. If your faucet is roughly the size of a dime, it will use a junior-size aerator.