Which is better core or spike aerator?
Core aerators do a much better job than spike aerators of breaking up severely compacted soil, and the holes they leave behind encourage healthy root growth and improve access to water and nutrients for the grass.
Is core aeration necessary?
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.18-Aug-2017
When should you core aerate your lawn?
The best time to aerate is during the growing season when your grass can heal and fill in any open areas once soil plugs are removed. In most parts of California, the best time to aerate tends to be in the late summer to mid-fall months, ideally September or October.22-Oct-2021
How often should I Core aerate?
When to Aerate Your Lawn If you have high-traffic areas or heavy clay soil, you will want to aerate every year. If you have sandy soil or your lawn is growing well, aerating the lawn can happen every 2-3 years.
Should I pick up plugs after aerating?
Those aeration plugs are vital to the health of your lawn. Resist the urge to “clean” the lawn after it's been aerated, and whatever you do, don't remove the plugs.09-Sept-2020
Should I aerate or dethatch first?
It is best to dethatch first before aerating your lawn. This way, you'll remove the excess debris and promote healthy root development. Aerating is best done when there's the problem of compaction.
Should you seed after aerating lawn?
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.
How do I know if my lawn needs aeration?
10 Signs It's Time To Aerate & Seed Your LawnIt's Fall or Spring. The fall is the perfect season to aerate and seed your lawn. ... Puddles. Puddles are an indication of compacted soil. ... Worn Areas. Patches in the yard? ... Inability to Moisten. ... Thinning Grass. ... Discolored Areas. ... Uniformly Thin and Dull. ... Yard Stopped Growing.More items...
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.11-Jun-2021
Is dethatching good for the lawn?
Not all lawns need dethatching, but when your lawn does need it, knowing how to dethatch your lawn is crucial to its future. Done properly, dethatching helps restore your lawn to health and keep it beautiful in years to come. By learning why, when and how to dethatch, you can keep your thick, lush grass on track.
Should I water my lawn after aerating?
Your lawn's watering needs immediately after aeration and overseeding are going to be a bit different than what you might be used to. Your lawn is going to require less water but more frequently. You need to keep the soil moist but you don't want to water for too long.
How deep should I aerate my lawn?
Aeration holes are typically 1-6 inches deep and 2-6 inches apart. Other types of aerators push solid spikes or tines into the soil without removing a plug (spiking). These are not as effective because they can contribute to compaction.
What is a plug aerator?
Plug aerators have hollow tines that penetrate the ground and remove plugs of soil. Choose a plug aerator if your lawn is difficult to dig into or if water pools in the grass after a rainfall. Spike aerators simply puncture the ground with long spikes and work well on sandy or loamy soil.
What is aeration in lawn?
Aeration creates spaces for air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots and restore the health of the grass. When choosing an aeration tool, you should consider the size of the lawn, ease of use, the type of soil, durability, and adjustable aeration depths. Aerators work with either plugs or spikes.
What size tow behind aerator for lawn?
Size of Your Lawn. Tow-behind aerators are rather large pieces of garden equipment and won’t perform well on small lots or narrow spaces. Tow-behind aerators are best used on lawns larger than one-half acre and regular in shape. Consider the width of the aerator and your turn radius as you shop.
How much weight can an agrifab aerator hold?
When you have heavy soil, you need a heavy-duty lawn aerator. The Agri-Fab plug aerator has 32 galvanized plugs that will penetrate to a depth of two-inches. Able to hold 140 pounds of weight (3-4 concrete blocks), the steel construction will withstand years of use.
What size plugs should I use for clay soil?
The 40-inch width and 24 3-inch plugs help cover large areas quickly.
When should I aerate my lawn in Kentucky?
The best time to aerate the lawn is dependent on the type of lawn grass. Cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrass) should be aerated in the fall. The growing season is still active but weeds are under control and temperatures are cooler. Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, centipede) should be aerated in the spring.
Can you use an agrifab push aerator on a lawn?
If you don’t have a lawn tractor, you can still aerate the lawn with the Agri-Fab push aerator. Outfitted with spikes, it is best used on small lawns with loamy soils. Just 16-inches wide, it can accommodate one concrete block to help push the five spiked discs into the soil to a depth of 2.5-inches. The aerator can be pushed or pulled.
What does a core aerator do?
This is a good analogy of what a core aerator can do for your lawn . . . It helps it breathe! These 3 point hitch or tow behind aerators actually remove a plug of dirt from your yard to reduce the compaction of the dirt and lets your seed, fertilizer, and water get to where it is needed. Over time, weather works to compact ...
Can you replace a core aerator spoon?
Water Fillable - This is your cheapest option, and although it does work, the core aerator spoons are welded to the water fillable drum and therefore are not replaceable. If you are just aerating your property alone, you should get years of service.
What is Billy goat aerator?
Browse our complete collection of lawn aeration machines, including the proven 19" drum aerator and 48"/72" towable aerator. Billy Goat leads the industry in advanced technology reciprocating aerators, including the game changing PLUGR® cam-driven core aerators and the 30" "One & Done" hydrostatic aerator--an industry first, which raises the bar in providing higher quality, higher productivity commercial aeration.
What is a 18" plugre?
The 18” PLUGR is ideal for smaller property aeration or rentals. No add-on weights are required and reciprocating cam-driven tines propel the unit forward and drive cores up to 2.75” deep even in hard...
What is aeration in lawn?
What is aeration? Soil aeration is the single most important maintenance practice you can perform on your lawn. Aeration (punching holes or removing cores from compacted lawns) relieves soil compaction and allows air, water, nutrients and grass seed to quickly and more easily enter the root zone.
What is the best tow type aerator?
Best Tow-Type Spike Aerator. Tow-type aerators work best when aerating larger areas or entire lawns. Most are 36 to 40 inches wide. They are easily pulled behind a lawn tractor or riding lawnmower. The Brinly Tow-Behind Spike Aerator is a good choice if you’d rather not deal with cleaning up messy cores.
How often should I aerate my lawn?
Aerating also helps manage thatch buildup which, if left unchecked, can suffocate your lawn. In addition, aerating two or three times a year reduces the amount of water, fertilizer and other amendments your lawn needs.
Does a step and tilt lawn aerator come with a core collector?
If you’re looking for a little more convenience and style, the Step ‘N Tilt Lawn Aerator may be for you. It comes with a core collector if you’d rather not leave soil cores on the lawn surface. The coring tines can be sharpened or replaced for clean and consistent tine penetration.
Can you aerate a lawn with a plug?
There is no better way to aerate your lawn. The Agri-Fab 48-inch Tow Plug Aerator comes with rust-resistant coring tines and built-in trays. These trays allow you to add up to 140 pounds of additional weight for soil penetration up to three inches.