Is a plug or spike aerator better?
Instead, it uses wedge-shaped spikes to pierce holes into the soil. This method has some drawbacks, however: because of the way a spike aerator makes holes, it can actually cause even more soil compaction. A plug aerator is generally a better choice, especially for heavy, thick soil with a lot of clay.
How deep should a plug aerator go?
These dirt clumps (also known as plugs) are ½ inch to ¾ inch in diameter. The holes are typically 1.5 to 6 inches deep (more on what depth we recommend below) and the holes are 2 to 5 inches apart. So, what exactly does aeration do? It allows for air circulation at the root level of your lawn.
What is the purpose of a plug aerator?
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.
What is the difference between an aerator and a plugger?
Lawn pluggers also achieve aeration, but the key difference is how it is done. Lawn aerators do not remove a plug of dirt, and can actually make the compaction problem worse around the hole since the weight of the attachment pushes the dirt around the hole away from the spike.
Should I mow before or after aeration?
In general, aeration creates the most benefit on soil that is a little bit moist. Then, try not to mow right after aerating. Instead, mow beforehand, and consider laying seed and fertilizer over your lawn after aeration and give your lawn time for that new seed to germinate before you mow again.
Can you spike aerate too much?
When it comes to over aerating a lawn, yes, this can be bad for it. Generally, if you over aerate your lawn, this will kill your grass and create drainage issues in your soil. One of the reasons this happens is that each time you aerate a lawn, you puncture holes into it, leading to problems if done too often.
How long do aeration plugs last?
about two weeksWhile aeration itself can take just a couple of hours, depending on the size of your commercial property, plugs typically break down in about two weeks. This can be longer or shorter depending on weather conditions, but mowing does help expedite this process.
Should you leave aeration plugs?
Leave the soil plugs on the lawn to decompose and filter back into the holes left by the aeration machine. Your lawn mower will often break them up and help work them back into the soil within two to three weeks. Apply fertilizer immediately after aerating your lawn to put nutrients into your grass roots.
When should you aerate?
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.
What type of aerator is best?
Manual core aerators It's also a great choice for spot aeration if you have a few compacted problem areas. You'll push the manual core aerator into the ground, using your foot as an additional weight, and cores will come out of the top of the tines.
Can I use a drill to aerate my lawn?
By drilling down and filling the holes with organic material, you are literally changing the organic composition of your soil, a little at a time. This provides multiple benefits, including: Improved aeration and drainage immediately since air pockets are created between the materials.
Should I dethatch before aerating?
Aerating is best done right after dethatching, preferably in the fall following a complete growing season. This gives the grass time to fill in and 'recover' after removing the soil plugs. The type of grass you have and the climate in which you live also determine when to dethatch and aerate as well.
What is a lawn aerator?
Lawn Aerator - Core Plugger by Everything Attachments. The key to a beautiful lawn is proper aeration. Without proper aeration to prevent compaction, grass can't spread its roots into the soil. A core aerator will pull out cores of soil, and allow the ground to decompress to fill in the holes. The holes also allow grass seed ...
Which hole do you use for a tractor?
The smaller tractor will actually probably use the top hole, so it'll have more distance, it's gonna curl it more and give you more lift. A larger tractor can use the bottom hole because it's gonna have more lift on your lift arms.
Do drum aerators roll independently?
To start with, not only does each wheel roll independently, which gives you the ability to make some slight turning without tearing your hole. If you have a drum aerator, you pretty much need to stay in an almost an exact straight line because any turning you do is gonna tear the hole.
Do pluggers turn straight?
When you're pulling a plugger straight, and that's the way you're pulling it most of the time, even though you can make a little turn with the independent wheels, most of the time you're pulling it straight. So in that case, all six wheels would probably actually make the axle turn in this bearing instead of in the wheels.