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 ...
Does Lowes rent aerators?
You can rent an aerator from garden stores and home improvement companies across the United States and Canada. For a reliable rental, you can rent an aerator from Lowes or Home Depot stores. How Much Does An Aerator Cost? The cost of an aerator varies mainly according to its size.
How to make a homemade lawn aerator?
Materials used:
- garden rakes
- Two wooden boards, each measuring 3 1/2″ x 3/4″ x 11″.
- 4 pieces of 1 1/4″ wood screws.
- A set of 11 nails with a diameter of 3 inches.
- 3 pieces of 3/4-inch eye screws.
- Glues for construction
Where to buy lawn aerators?
Here are a few tips:
- Clay soil: Clay is easily compacted, whether by foot traffic or by heavy machines. If your yard is clay, then plan on aerating it at least once a year. ...
- Sandy soil: This type of earth is porous. It requires aeration once every two years.
- Dry climate: Dry and sandy earth develops a crusty layer over time. ...
How much does aerator cost?
Many professional lawn aeration services cost between $15–$17 per thousand square feet according to cost data from HomeServe, though core aerators are typically more expensive than spike aerators. Therefore, a 5,000 square-foot lawn would cost around $75–$85 or $150–$170 for a 10,000 square–foot lawn.
What kind of lawn aerator works best?
Best Overall: Brinly-Hardy PA-40BH Tow Behind Plug Aerator Since plug aerators are a must for clay soils and can be used on looser soils as well, this durable, all-steel construction aerator with “no-flat” tires is our best overall choice. The 40-inch width and 24 3-inch plugs help cover large areas quickly.
Which is better spike or plug aerator?
Plug aerators are usually more effective at relieving compaction in lawns with a heavy clay soil since the solid tines used on spike aerators compact the clay soil further when they push into the ground.
Is aerating a 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.
Can you aerate your lawn without a machine?
A fork can be a useful tool for aerating your lawn. The process is more or less like spike aeration. It is an effective method because it penetrates compacted soils efficiently to loosen the particles, and if you already own a fork, you don't have to spend more money on new tools to aerate your lawn.
Can you aerate your lawn yourself?
A core aerator removes plugs of soil from your lawn, which helps loosen compacted soil and allows vital air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. You can either aerate your lawn yourself or call a lawn service. If you plan to DIY, rent an aerator (you'll need help and a truck to transport it) and follow these tips.
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.
How deep should you aerate a lawn?
Cut out a square foot section of lawn at least 6 inches deep. If grass roots are growing only 1 to 2 inches deep, your soil may be compacted and aeration could give your roots a boost.
How big should aeration holes be?
Aerating Guidelines Aerator holes should be 3 inches deep, 3 inches or less apart, and about 3/4 inch in diameter. Several passes may be required for correct spacing. Aeration frequency depends on soil type, thatch, and traffic, among other factors.
When should you not aerate your lawn?
Spring is not the ideal time to aerate the lawn, but circumstances may require it. If the soil is so compacted that existing grass can't grow, it may be necessary to aerate in the spring. 1 Generally, though, spring aerating is discouraged because the aeration holes provide a perfect spot for weed seeds to germinate.
Should I mow before or after aeration?
It's generally recommended to mow before aeration, especially if you're overseeding. That said, it won't hurt the lawn if you mow after aerating if you aren't laying down grass seed. Mowing first allows you to expose the soil before aerating.
What should I put on my lawn after aerating?
Apply fertilizer immediately after aerating your lawn to put nutrients into your grass roots. This allows the grass to better prepare for summer heat. Growing a thick, healthy lawn is useful in preventing weeds as well.
What brands of aerators are available at Power Equipment Warehouse?
Power Equipment Warehouse has a wide variety of aerators to choose from. Quality brands like Ryan, Bluebird, Classen and JRCO. When investing in a hard-working piece of equipment like a lawn aerator, don’t skimp on quality. These aerators take a beating. Walk-behind aerators with a split drive reel allow for easy turning while still aerating, or choose a lawn aerator to tow behind your tractor up to 84” wide! We even have aerators to fit your ZTR mower.
Why use an aerator for lawns?
Aerators remove cores of turf to improve the flow of air, water and nutrients in dense, compacted soil caused by walking and mowing. Compacted soil is one of the greatest causes of turf deterioration. When soil is compacted, dirt particles are forced together, reducing the area where roots can grow. Using a lawn aerator will relieve soil compaction ...
What to do after using a lawn aerator?
Cover every inch of the lawn and go over the high traffic areas more than once. After using your lawn aerator, water the lawn and apply fertilizer, this will promote growth and allow for grass to become more substantial. Power Equipment Warehouse has a wide variety of aerators to choose from. Quality brands like Ryan, Bluebird, Classen and JRCO.
What grasses need aeration?
Aerators used on perennial Rye grass, Kentucky bluegrass, warm season grasses, such as Zoysia and Bermuda grasses benefit most from spring or summer aeration. Before using a lawn aerator take the following steps: Map out any obstructions so the lawn aerator will not encounter any hazards in your yard.
How do aerators help soil?
Aerators relieve soil compaction by removing evenly-spaced cores of turf up to 3 inches in depth. Once aerators are used the soil is aerated, air exchange is improved and the soil can easily absorb water, fertilizer and other nutrients.
What is easy steer technology?
Easy Steer Technology lets you steer the aerator with the tines still in the ground!