- Determine when to aerate your soil based on whether your landscape has warm-season or cool-season turf.
- Attach a fine mist spray nozzle to your garden hose and water your lawn one hour or up to one day before aerating it.
- Move the aerator to the work area with the power off. Turn the fuel cock to the open position, close the choke and turn the ignition switch to "On."
- Push the aerator in straight lines across your lawn, overlapping each line slightly on each new row.
- Push the aerator in straight lines that run perpendicular to the first set of lines you completed. ...
How to make a homemade aerator?
How do you aerate a pond naturally?
- Solar Fountain Pumps. …
- Solar Aerators. …
- Windmill Aerators. …
- Pond Plants. …
- Water Depth. …
- Cover the Pond. …
- Water Floats. …
- Do Not Overstock Your Pond.
What is an aerator and why do I need one?
You won’t need to water ... water—and one way to help encourage lawn growth and lighten your landscaping load is to aerate the grass. Here’s what aeration is, and why you should be poking ...
How to turn on my Pool aerator?
Who Needs a Pool Aerator?
- High Average Air Temperature. Should you live in a state that has warm overall temperatures then you will more than likely enjoy the benefits to a aerator.
- Shallow Water. Many old pools used to have a "shallow" end and then a "deep" end, this would be like 3-4' and then down to 8-10'.
- Above Ground Pool. ...
How to clean your aerator?
Watch our Video and You’ll Learn:
- You Will Know How The Water Aerator Works.
- Learn How The To Remove Water Aerator From Your Faucet.
- Learn What To If You Are Having Trouble With Faucet Aerator.
What is a lawn aerator?
Why do aerators support the machine?
What is the difference between aerator and fork?
When to aerate cool grass?
What is the best gardening wear?
What is the best way to prepare your garden for reseeding?
Can you use different aerators to aerate your lawn?
See more
How do you use an aerator?
2:085:10Lawn Core Aeration Benefits and Basics | How To Use An AeratorYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo make sure you set the choke back for one. Time. Then move the choke forward pull again and yourMoreSo make sure you set the choke back for one. Time. Then move the choke forward pull again and your aerator should start up just like you say here this is my junior lawn care nut assistant Levi Arvin.
Should I aerate before or after watering?
You will want to water one to three days before aerating. This is because the soils must be moist when you aerate to help the machine penetrate the soil. Remember, do not aerate overly soaked or completely dry soil.
Should you aerate before or after fertilizer?
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.
When should I use an aerator on my lawn?
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.
Do you have to top dress after aeration?
Using a soil leveller, work the top dressing into the turf so the grass leaf is showing and can receive sunlight. Do not put down more than 10mm of topdressing as you will risk smothering the grass. Timing wise, it is ideal to top dress after an aeration.
How do I prepare for aeration?
Ideally, you should water the lawn at least a day or two before aeration; you should add at least one inch of water to the soil to make it easier for the aerator to penetrate the soil and pull out the cores. Do not try to aerate a muddy or especially wet area though, as that will just clog the machine.
How long does it take to see results from aeration?
You probably won't see instant results. While root growth and the overall health of your lawn begin to improve immediately following aeration, visual results typically come after two or three aerations.
What is the next step after aeration?
Immediately after aeration, your lawn is ripe for overseeding and fertilizing. The holes provide excellent soil exposure for seeds and deliver fertilizer directly to the roots of your grass. For best results, use high-quality seed and fertilize with Milorganite®.
Should I seed after aeration?
Within 48 hours after you aerate you should over seed, fertilize, and water your lawn. The seed, fertilizer, and water will have the best chance to get down into the holes made by the aerator if applied soon after aeration.
Should I pick up plugs after aerating?
– The Short Answer. The consensus is that no, you should not pick up plugs or cores after aerating. In a few days, these little pieces of your lawn should break down and become unnoticeable. This process is aided by watering your lawn deeply after aerating or waiting to aerate before it rains.
Is aerating your lawn worth it?
Almost all lawns will benefit from aeration, and a great lawn demands it. That said, most lawns do not need it. Lawns suffering from heavy foot traffic, excessive thatch (>1 inch thick) or grown on heavy soils will benefit most.
Can you walk on lawn after aeration?
You can't walk on the lawn after aeration because the seeds and fertilizer need time to settle, and the soil could get too compact. Walking or mowing on a freshly-aerated lawn can prevent the seeds from sprouting and the soil from getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
What is a lawn aerator?
Lawn Aerator – Lawn aerators dig holes in your lawn to help the grass feed better. They can have electronic rotary spikes or ‘cores’. Rotary spikes don’t pull out any soil. They work best for loose soil types like sand, loam, or lightly mixed earth.
Why do aerators support the machine?
That’s because the machine’s motor and its counterbalance create enough force and momentum. But when you’re transporting or storing your aerator, you may struggle with the bulk. So check whether your aerator has removable counterweights.
What is the difference between aerator and fork?
You may have noticed the main difference between aeration tools is the type of tine. Forks and home-made aerators have solid tines. These might be long nails or garden prongs. Some forks like the Swardman Fork are specifically designed for coring so their tines are hollow. This type of hollow tine is best for dense clay soil. Solid tines are ideal for loose sandy soil.
When to aerate cool grass?
And in ‘cool grass’ areas, it’s best to aerate during the ‘ ber months ’ after the fall – September, October, November, December. But if you do want to try a little ride-along, you can get a tractor, ATV, or even a golf cart and winch an aerator to the back. Now you can drive around the yard as it aerates itself.
What is the best gardening wear?
Typically, gumboots are the best gardening wear. Here, you need ‘Air Spikes’, pun intended. You can buy a pair from the hardware store and assemble it or you can design a pair at home. These ‘shoes’ are extremely easy to use. Just latch them under your garden shoes and walk around the lawn.
What is the best way to prepare your garden for reseeding?
Power Rake – This gadget is stronger and cuts deeper than dethatchers. It’s a good way to prepare your garden for reseeding. Do this annually for general maintenance.
Can you use different aerators to aerate your lawn?
You can use different devices to aerate your lawn. And they look a lot alike. So let’s begin by getting familiar with these machines.
What is a Lawn Aerator?
A lawn aerator is a piece of equipment or a device that makes aerating your lawn easier and far more effective. DIY lawn aerator job is one household chore most homeowners can easily tackle in an afternoon.
How do hand aerators work?
Hand aerators or manual aerators are aerators that you will work by manually pushing, poking or rolling a device that will have multiple sharp ends that will poke holes into the soil.
How long does it take to aerate a lawn?
If you have a very large lawn, aeration by pitchfork is not practical at all and could take you more than a day to properly aerate it!
What are aerator shoes?
2) Lawn Aerator Shoes. Lawn aerator shoes are exactly what they sound like, they are shoes that help aerate your lawn as you walk on top of it. They are able to do this by having sets of metal spikes on the bottoms that can range between 1-2 inches in length.
How long does it take for a lawn to compact?
The disadvantage of this aeration is that it is more of a short term solution and your soil is likely to become compact again in as little as 2-3 months depending on how often the lawn and soil are used.
How deep is a plug aeration?
Plug aeration involves the process of making a fairly large hole around 1/2-3/4 inches in diameter and up to 6 inches deep. This will remove part of the soil from the roots and is known to improve the overall structure of your soil more than spike aeration.
What is the third type of aeration?
Liquid Aeration. There is also a third type of aeration that is relatively new called Liquid Aeration. This is only possible with a more expensive machine. Instead of making large holes like plug aeration or a lot of smaller holes like spike aeration, you make countless tiny holes throughout the soil.
Why use a lawn aerator?
Using a lawn aerator: why, how and when? Aerating your lawn can give it the extra help it needs to grow thicker and deeper rooted grass which would otherwise not be possible. Aside from the basic care for your lawn, using a lawn aerator is one simple way of getting the best out of your garden lawn.
What is lawn aeration?
Aeration is the process of inserting small holes in the ground with the aim of improving drainage to prevent water-logging roots, aid air circulation and help improve nutrient uptake.
How does aeration work?
The act of lawn aeration works to separate these particles which contribute to blocking the roots access to nutrients, air and water. There is a myth that aeration helps prevent weeds from coming through, but sadly this is untrue.
What is a spike tine aerator?
Also known as spike tine aerators, this is the act of punching solid holes into the turf. Solid tines are useful for all general aeration and can be done well with a number of cost efficient tools. The only caveat to this method is that it can sometimes cause compaction in the sides of the hole that the spike creates.
How to get a thick green lawn after aeration?
Once your lawn aeration is complete you should look to apply fertiliser and top dressing to give your grass the extra ingredients it needs to thrive and begin to become a thick green healthy lawn. Continuing to mow and water your lawn regularly after the process of aeration will also help a great deal towards growing healthy grass in a shorter time frame.
Do aerating shoes have spikes?
Aerating shoes have one to one and a half inch spikes underneath them which you put on and walk around your garden (in an organised manner, of course). A great way to do this is wear them whilst you are mowing your lawn to ensure you cover every area.
Do you need to aerate around the perimeter of a lawn?
You should always aerate in straight lines similar to mowing or scarifying, and it is advised to aerate around the perimeter lastly to cover your turning area.
What is the best way to aerate a lawn?
Two main aerating tools exist — a spike aerator and a plug aerator. With a spike aerator, you simply use the tool to poke holes into the ground with a solid tine, or fork. Plug aerators remove a core or plug of grass and soil from the lawn. For the best results, use an aerating tool or machine that actually removes plugs of soil. Poking holes is less effective and can actually cause additional compaction in the areas around the holes.
How does aeration help grass?
Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn.
Why is aeration important?
It is also important to ensure that nutrients can reach the soil beneath your grass. Aeration can be an extremely vital element to a healthy lawn because it allows air and water to penetrate built-up grass or lawn thatch. Get rid of thatch and make way for a beautiful lawn with this quick guide to aeration.
Does aeration kill crabgrass?
This is not true — research shows that aeration will not affect crabgrass control or weed prevention. After aerating, it's important to continue basic lawn care practices such as proper fertilizing, ...
Do aeration machines cover a small percentage of the surface of the soil?
Most aeration machines cover only a small percentage of soil surface per pass, so make multiple passes over the most compacted areas. Save resources (and your energy) by leaving unaffected areas alone. The excavated soil plugs should be allowed to dry and then broken up to give your lawn a uniform, clean appearance.
Is aeration good for lawns?
Aeration is a beneficial practice toward achieving a beautiful lawn, but most people don't realize it or understand the process. If your lawn is a candidate, make it an integral part of your lawn care regime. Your lawn will thank you for letting it breathe again.
Should You Be Aerating Your Lawn?
One of the most common questions from homeowners is how to determine if they should be aerating their lawn. Your lawn is probably a good candidate for aeration if it:
What Does Aeration Do?
Aeration is a job that not every lawn owner does but should be committed to.
The Best Aerators for the Job
The aeration process requires some form of tool to get it done, as you can’t just puncture holes in the soil deep enough with your hand.
Tips for Using an Aerator Properly
Before you start stomping around your lawn or rolling an aerator up and down, you need to know how to do the job right.
The Potential Downsides of Aeration
Aeration is one of the best things you can do for your lawn’s health but there are some negatives to weigh up as well.
Free Soil is Happy Soil
There are a number of things that compact our soil, whether it’s the lawnmowers and machines we use to maintain them or heavy foot traffic from our kids and pets.
Related Questions
A lawn aerator is just one of a few handy tools that can help you keep your lawn in good condition, as long as it’s used regularly.
What is the best way to aerate soil?
Soil aeration is usually done either with a plug aerator or a spike aerator. A plug aerator removes actually cylindrical plugs from the soil. A spike aerator pokes holes in the soil with a spike. Most lawn professionals recommend using plug aeration because piercing the soil with spikes may cause more soil compaction.
Why do we aerate soil?
For a plant to grow, everyone knows it needs the proper amount of water and sunlight. We fertilize our plants regularly because we also know that plants need certain nutrients and minerals to reach their full potential.
Why Does Soil Need to be Aerated?
The benefits of soil aeration are rich, fertile, properly draining soil and full, healthy plants. Without an adequate exchange of water and oxygen within the spaces between soil particles, trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants may suffer too.
How to prevent soil compaction?
In containers or other tight locations of the garden, it may be necessary to hand drive a single spike to aerate compacted soil. Building raised landscape berms or digging planting holes 2-3 times the width of the plant’s root ball can also help prevent garden soil compaction.
Why do plants wilt in landscape beds?
Large or dense root structures can cause soil compaction in landscape beds. Plants that have flourished in the past may suddenly wilt, drop leaves and not bloom, as they are unable to respire from soil compaction around their roots. This can also happen to large potted plants in time as well.
Can you add earthworms to soil?
Additionally, you can add earthworms to the soil in your garden beds or containers and allow them to do the work of aerating while adding organic matter of their own for nutrient uptake. Printer Friendly Version. This article was last updated on 07/18/20. Read more about Soil, Fixes & Fertilizers.
Can you use a plug aerator in a container?
It is also not easy to use a plug or spike aerator in a landscape bed or container. While spike aerators are available as hand held tools with a long handle and spikes that rotate around a small wheel, it is necessary to take care around large surface roots of trees and shrub.
What is the best way to aerate a lawn?
A hand aerifier, which has a set of hollow tubes on a stirrup, or a spading fork, which is a garden fork with flattened tines, can be used to aerate a lawn effectively. The timing for aeration depends on the kind of grass.
Why is it important to aerate your lawn with a machine?
If your lawn is small, or if you have plenty of time on your hands, then aerating your lawn with a machine aerator is unnecessary because you can complete the task with hand-operated tools. Aeration breaks up compacted soil by creating holes in it, helping grass grow vigorously and reducing thatch, moss and other lawn problems.
What happens if you put a tool in the ground?
If the soil is powdery and fine, or inserting the tool into the ground is difficult, then the soil is too dry to aerate. If the soil is too wet, test the soil's moisture content again in two or three days.
How to get rid of thatch in lawn?
Pull the rake vigorously through the grass, up and down and from side to side across the lawn, raking up the thatch. Remove the raked-up thatch from the area.
What is a lawn aerator?
Lawn Aerator – Lawn aerators dig holes in your lawn to help the grass feed better. They can have electronic rotary spikes or ‘cores’. Rotary spikes don’t pull out any soil. They work best for loose soil types like sand, loam, or lightly mixed earth.
Why do aerators support the machine?
That’s because the machine’s motor and its counterbalance create enough force and momentum. But when you’re transporting or storing your aerator, you may struggle with the bulk. So check whether your aerator has removable counterweights.
What is the difference between aerator and fork?
You may have noticed the main difference between aeration tools is the type of tine. Forks and home-made aerators have solid tines. These might be long nails or garden prongs. Some forks like the Swardman Fork are specifically designed for coring so their tines are hollow. This type of hollow tine is best for dense clay soil. Solid tines are ideal for loose sandy soil.
When to aerate cool grass?
And in ‘cool grass’ areas, it’s best to aerate during the ‘ ber months ’ after the fall – September, October, November, December. But if you do want to try a little ride-along, you can get a tractor, ATV, or even a golf cart and winch an aerator to the back. Now you can drive around the yard as it aerates itself.
What is the best gardening wear?
Typically, gumboots are the best gardening wear. Here, you need ‘Air Spikes’, pun intended. You can buy a pair from the hardware store and assemble it or you can design a pair at home. These ‘shoes’ are extremely easy to use. Just latch them under your garden shoes and walk around the lawn.
What is the best way to prepare your garden for reseeding?
Power Rake – This gadget is stronger and cuts deeper than dethatchers. It’s a good way to prepare your garden for reseeding. Do this annually for general maintenance.
Can you use different aerators to aerate your lawn?
You can use different devices to aerate your lawn. And they look a lot alike. So let’s begin by getting familiar with these machines.
