![]() If you’re using a manual aerator –– such as a pitchfork or manual core aerator –– ensure the aeration holes are 2 to 3 inches deep and roughly 3 inches apart across the entire lawn. ![]() With other aerators, you may need to repeat the process if your soil is highly compact. With a manual aerator, you’ll need to keep an eye on the distance between your holes. Check that your aerator tool is making holes and popping up plugs of soil. Criss-cross your yard as you do when sowing seed or mowing your lawn. Aerate the Entire LawnĪerate your whole lawn, not just spots. The last thing you want is for your aerator to knock out your new (and expensive) sprinkler system! 5. Flag Sprinkler Headsīefore you aerate a lawn, flag your sprinkler heads so that you know where they are. Why? Because the mud will close up the aeration holes. Aerating wet soil creates a muddy mess, which can ruin your tools and defeat the whole purpose of aeration. If the soil is wet on the day you plan to aerate, wait another day. Here’s why: Aerating bone-dry soil is less effective and will give your arms or feet more of a workout if you use a manual core aerator or spiked aeration shoes.īut don’t overdo the watering ahead of aeration. Water the lawn with 1 inch of water one or two days before you aerate to help soften the soil. Calling in advance gives utility workers plenty of time to flag or paint areas where underground utility lines are. Call Before You Digīefore you dig in your yard, call 811 a few days beforehand. Tow-behind spike aerator: To spike aerate a large area with ease, attach a tow-behind spike aerator to the back of your lawn tractor. Rolling push aerator: The spikes on a rolling push aerator rotate and pierce holes into the ground as you push this tool across your lawn. This spike aeration method might appear fast and easy, but it does take energy to press the spikes into the ground. Spiked aeration shoes: You attach these spiked “sandals” to your shoes and walk around your yard to create tiny holes in your lawn. They may even be in your garden shed, making a pitchfork or spading fork an easy solution for spike aeration. Manual spike aerator: Pitchforks and spading forks make good manual spike aerators. Tow-behind core aerator: If you don’t want to press down on a manual core aerator or push behind a core aerator, you can attach a tow-behind core aerator to your lawn tractor. Many home-improvement stores offer hourly, daily, or weekly rentals of push-behind core aerators. You push this kind of core aerator like a lawn mower, and there are gas- and electric-powered versions. Push-behind core aerator: This tool is excellent for aerating a large yard. ![]() Using a manual core aerator on a large yard may prove tiring and time-consuming. The soil travels through hollow tines and pops out as a 2- to 3-inch-long plug (kind of like super-thick Play-Doh spaghetti). Manual core aerator: Like pressing your foot on a shovel, you use your foot to push a manual core aerator into the ground. Spike Aeration, then scroll back up here.) (Unfamiliar with the types of aeration? Jump to Core Aeration vs. There are different ways you can perform core aeration and spike aeration. The first step to aerate a lawn is to choose which tool you’re going to use.
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