Maintaining a lawn isn't just about watering and mowing. Green grass starts with healthy soil and that means aeration. Over time, especially with heavy foot traffic, your beautiful lawn gets packed down. This compacted soil acts like heavy clay and prevents water and fertilizer from soaking in.
Stop the problem before it starts, by aerating your lawn during the growing season, either in the late spring or early fall when the grass can recover quickly. Clay soil may need treatment 2-3 times a year while sandy soil only annually. Once a grass aerator pokes space into the compacted soil, nutrients can reach the roots. The stronger these roots get, the better they'll compete and limit the spread of weeds. By alleviating soil compaction you're on your way to a beautiful lawn.
Plug Aerators vs. Spike Aerators
Two main types of aerators are plug aerators and spike aerators. They both come in an array of models and can be an ideal choice for different circumstances.
Plug aerators, also known as core aerators, have hollow tines that remove small plugs of soil from the ground. Removing soil plugs creates healthier soil by letting air, water, and nutrients get closer to the roots. There are walk-behind plug aerators and tow-behind aerator models that attach to lawn mowers, so they can easily treat an entire lawn. These heavy-duty aerators spin their hollow tines which tends to penetrate more evenly per square foot. It's an easy improvement to grass health though some consider the unsightly soil plugs left around the yard from plug aeration to be a nuisance.
Spike aeration use solid tines or spikes to puncture the soil, creating holes that allow for air and water penetration. There are towable aerators for large areas and manual tools for light maintenance in small small plots of grass or garden beds. Spike aerators are generally easier to use and less expensive than plug aerators. There are some negative effects of spike aerating. Unlike the hollow tines, the solid spikes can be overused and actually create compacted soil. Spike lawn aeration is great for light work, breaking up a garden bed, or narrow paths, but aren't the ideal choice for an entire lawn or damaged dry soil.
John Deere 48-inch Tow-Behind Plug Aerator
MSRP: $359.00
This John Deere tow-behind model is a heavy-duty aerator designed for larger lawns. Its universal hitch design works with most riding lawn mowers or ATVs, making it suitable piece of yard equipment for extensive lawn care projects. It's designed to carry extra weight which can pierce deeper than the average depth.
- 48-inch width with 3” heat-treated steel plugging spikes
- Impressive design allows spokes to spin continuously even on a 180 turn creating even soil plugs per square foot.
- Inflated tires equalize weight distribution, limiting soil compaction despite the heavier frame.
- This already heavily weighted tow-behind model offers an additional weight tray so that the hollow spikes reach maximum soil penetration
- It has a higher price tag but it is the machines of choice if a large healthy lawn is the goal.
STIHL RL0MM Lawn Aerator Attachment
MSRP: $74.99
This versatile tool is a rolling lawn aerator designed to work seamlessly with STIHL's Yard Boss multi-task system. It’s a quality manual option that uses a sharp spike aerator design to add a series of slits to promote healthy soil. By attaching it to the Yard Boss, you’ll effortlessly penetrate compacted soil, promoting better air circulation and water absorption for healthier turf and plant growth.
- Compatible with STIHL's Yard Boss multi-task system
- Easy attachment and detachment for quick operation
- Ideal manual lawn aerator for small to medium-sized lightly compacted ground for healthier turf and plant growth
- Great to use before planting new grass seed to give roots a head start at deeper penetration.
WaLensee 4-Tine Spike Aerator
MSRP: $34.98
The WaLensee 4-Tine is an inexpensive option that uses sharp spikes. It does take some manual labor, so it's best for small plots of grass. This foot bar lawn tool has a compact design and padded handle that make it comfortable to maneuver. These manual aerators can relieve patches of compacted soil which can make a noticeable difference in a beautiful lawn.
- Four sturdy 3.5-inch tines and 35.5-inch tall padded T-shaped handle
- Comfortable handle for easy maneuverability and a strong foot platform for controlled weight distribution
- This lighter model is a tool of choice for light maintenance and basic lawn care as gives a lot of control over how deep you want to disturb.
- Suitable for small to medium-sized lawns that don't require frequent spike aerating (garden beds, narrow paths, or sandy soil)
- Spike aeration is perfect to use before transplanting seedlings to optimize plant growth and maximize plant food supplements.
Is it better to rent or buy a lawn aerator?
A great lawn requires proper maintenance. But a coring aerator can be a real investment. If you have a large yard, already own a riding lawn mower, and prioritize your lawn health, a towable aerator is a worthwhile garden tool to have. However, even with stubborn soil, a small yard doesn't require frequent aeration. In these cases, renting an affordable choice and limiting heavy foot traffic will improve your soil over time. If you don't see an improvement in soil compaction it could be that your technique is making your soil worse, consider hiring a lawn aeration service to come with their professional-grade machine.
Are spike shoes any good?
Aerator shoes can be an affordable option for light aeration in average soil conditions. Most shoe-style aerators are stainless steel spikes that simply strap onto regular shoes. They are a compact garden tool convenient for smaller chunks of grass or for light maintenance on steep slopes. Because you have to be able to balance as they sink in, the maximum depth available isn't as deep as on a mechanical aerator lawn tool. Depending on the severity of soil compaction, it might take your entire weight to break through and the holes per sq foot can be inconsistent. Shoe spikes or a foot plate lawn tool are a reasonable option for improving garden bed plant growth and reinvigorating patches for green grass, you won't want to do an entire lawn with them.
