#Spike aerator vs plug aerator manual#

Simple tools like pitchforks or specialized manual aerators are also an option, though they involve serious time and are physically demanding, making them less attractive to lawn care professionals. These shoes are affordable and go great in combination with a push or walk-behind mower. You can also find aerator shoes that have long spikes on the bottom.

They can be like push mowers, with an operator guiding and pushing the aerator along. Unpowered aerators are similar to powered models. Bigger, more powerful aerators come in pull-behind attachments for riding mowers. These operate much like a mower, with a powerful engine that works to do the aerating while an operator guides it along. Most common are walk-behind motorized aerators. Landscapers that often find themselves needing to aerate lawns should look at powered units, since even with a bit of oomph behind you, the aerating process can take some time. The main division comes down to powered or unpowered. There are a couple of options when it comes to aerator operation. But spike aerators are great to quickly prep a lawn for seeding or fertilizer, especially if you’re working on a sloped surface. When looking for the best lawn aerator out there, choose the one that will. Keep in mind that plug aerators are more suitable for smaller gardens since they don’t require a lot of work. A plug aerator features hollow spikes that remove a small portion of the soil, leaving a deeper hole. However, the effects won’t last as long, and the benefits aren’t as great. A spike aerator creates holes in the soil by using tines. Spiking is faster and easier, so there’s less work involved. As opposed to the core aerator, a spike aerator won’t remove any turf or soil, so the surface of the lawn retains an even look. Spike aerators make small holes in soil, pushing aside turf and creating pockets where air and water can more easily flow. However, the long term benefits of core aerating can last all year, so it’s definitely worth your time to do. They’re also quite intrusive and can leave a lawn surface looking rather uneven. The downsides of core aerating are minimal, mostly comes from the time it takes to perform in relation to the size of a lawn and equipment used. Fertilizers will be able to better penetrate the turf as well. The lawn will be able to better retain and drain water, rather than having it build up or escape without doing much for the grass. This encourages the flow of air, water, and vital nutrients throughout a lawn. Core AeratorĬore (or plug) aerators use hollow tines to dig into soil and pull out plugs of turf, creating small holes or voids. There are a few different pieces of equipment that can aerate, so keep reading to find out more. Fortunately a bit of aeration can take care of this issue. This prevents the optimal circulation of air, water, and nutrients to the grass. Between the kids playing and routine upkeep, soil can get squished down, and a layer of dead grass and roots gets tangled together forming thatch. Not everyone has the same budget for lawn aerators, so this list includes a wide range of prices, as well.A lawn that’s well used tends to get compacted over time. We recommend a good mix of handheld, push, and tow-behind options, so regardless of your lawn size or physical ability, you should find a style that works for you. I kept this experience in mind while assembling this list, combining my hands-on experience with extensive online research, making sure to exclude any low-quality options.

#Spike aerator vs plug aerator professional#

I spent years working as part of a professional landscaping crew, and routinely aerated residential lawns and parks. If you don’t have the ability or time to do it on your own, think about renting a self-propelled aerator from a local hardware store. It’s also important to remember that all lawns are different, so if you’re not sure if aeration is the right move, or if you just don’t have the time, it may make more sense to hire a professional. These aerators are much wider though, and their weight also makes them a bit more challenging to store in your garage or toolshed. Larger tow-behind options are much more efficient, and although they do require a lawn tractor or riding mower to tow them, will get the job done relatively quickly. While handheld manual aerators are simple to use-you push the tines into the ground yourself-and convenient to store when you’re finished, they’re really only practical for small yards. The size and style of aerator you'll need depends largely on the size and configuration of your lawn, so take the time to think about how much effort you’re willing to exert, and also how much time you want to spend aerating.