Choosing Lawn Aerators for Your Aeration Needs

By Mike Smith

If your lawn is brown and drab, it can be easy to chalk it up to a lack of water or proper fertilization. You might even be convinced that insect pests have infested your yard. However, while all of these scenarios are possible, they're far less likely than you might think. What your lawn might truly need is aeration. Lawn aeration is nothing more than the process of punching holes (or removing cores) in the soil, in order to allow more water, air and fertilizer into it.

If you need a bit of help in the lawn care area, then you'll certainly want to consider the types of lawn aerators out there. The most common type is the gas-powered lawn aerator. You will find these for sale and rent, though they might be under the moniker "corer" or "plug" aerator. These have hollow tubes, called tines, that penetrate the soil and remove a piece of turf. This allows water, air and fertilizer to reach the roots of your lawn. However, due to the size and cost of these aerators, they're best suited to large expanses of yard in need of improvement.

You will also find another option on the market: pull-behind aerators. These are quite similar to the aerators mentioned above, but are designed to be pulled behind a lawnmower, rather than being self-propelled. Usually, you will have to add some extra weight, which can be done by adding bricks or cinder blocks. Finally, as with the devices mentioned above, these are good solutions for large yards.

A push aerator is another option that you have. These devices incorporate a design similar to a push mower, but use a rotating drum studded with tines to aerate the soil. The tines bite into the earth as you push the aerator across the yard, helping to ensure grass enjoys the best mix of air, water and fertilizer. As with other options, extra weight must sometimes be added, particularly for areas that see a lot of foot traffic.

Some people find that one device that works well for their needs is a pair of aerator shoes. These are simple plastic sandals that fit over your regular shoes and tighten with adjustable straps. The bottom of the sandals feature long spikes, making them look a bit like vicious golf shoes. When you walk around your yard, the spikes dig in, doing all the work for you. - 30234

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