How Does An Aerator Work?

Why Aerator Your Lawn

It may seem like a simple concept, but aerating your lawn is very beneficial for a number of reasons. There are three main purposes for lawn aerators. By aerating your lawn, you will reduce soil compaction, encourage grass roots to grow, and reduce lawn thatch. 

Because there are several types of aerators, it is critical to follow a protocol while finishing your aeration. Completing this technique at the proper time of year, when your grass requires it the most, might dramatically enhance the general health of your lawn. There are two types of lawn aerators available on the market. Spike aerators and core aerators are the two types.

  • Aerator with Spikes – A spike aerator will place spikes or holes in your grass at regular intervals. Because the spike aerators are just holes punched in the ground, no grass is pushed up. When using spike aeration, the holes fill in rapidly, and this is the greatest approach to use when working with sandy soils.
  • Aerator Core – The core aerator, on the other hand, removes a real plug or core of soil and grass from your lawn. Aeration using a core aerator is regarded deeper and more effective; however, not all lawns require this sort of aeration. The core aerator is more effective when your soil is compacted and heavy.

Aerators for your lawn can be either manual or electric. If you have a large plot of land, you will want a power aerator. The manual technique takes a long time since the spikes must be driven into the ground, pulled up, and then placed back down. With a manual aerator, you may utilize machine power to push the tool into the ground and aerate vast areas quickly.

Most individuals do not need to aerate their lawns every year. Aeration is typically employed on highly compact soil that has seen a lot of foot or machine movement. Aeration is a fantastic option if your soil is hard and unable to absorb the necessary water and nutrients. There are a few crucial indicators to look for to determine whether your grass is suitable for aeration. The first step is to examine the color of the lawn. If you find significant regions of poor color, it might be because the soil is too compact to allow light to permeate the turf.

Water may also be pooling on your grass. This can happen naturally after heavy rain, but water should gradually begin to penetrate down; if it does not, you may need to aerate that portion of the grass. Another clue to keep an eye out for is general development. If the lawns around you are all growing swiftly and looking healthy, but yours has entirely stopped, it may be time to aerate your grass. If you are doubtful, it is usually advisable to consult an expert.

If you have just finished aerating your grass, you will want to make sure you perform a few things to finish the process. To begin, moisten the lawn and leave whatever that was pulled on the turf. This material will decay organically and provide nutritional advantages to your grass. You should then fertilize your lawn. While the holes remain open, it is critical to allow the fertilizer to go deep into the grass and begin to strengthen the existing turf. If your grass is looking a little thin, you may add some seed once you’ve finished aerating. Seed can enter the openings while they are open. An aerator is a tool that is used to create small holes or plugs in your grass. When such holes are in place, more water, fertilizer, and seeds can reach the necessary depths and help strengthen your grass. Aerating is a technique that must be done on a regular basis if you want green and healthy turf.