Manual spike aerator

There are two basic forms of handheld aerators: those that remove plugs of soil and grass, and those that are just spike aerators. With either style, you should make several passes across the entire lawn in different directions to thoroughly aerate the stretch of turf.

Handheld aerators have longer tines than aerating shoes, and the sharp tines dig down easily into compacted soil and so are more effective. Plug-style handheld aerators are the most tiring type of manual lawn aerator to use and therefore only suited to small lawns. Push aerators: These are also called rolling aerators or lawn spikers. They consist of a sturdy handle and cage-like rolling drum covered with sharp spikes. This is the best type of manual lawn aerator for midsize lawns.

Inexpensive: Aerating shoes are the least expensive type of manual lawn aerator. Mid-range: Handheld aerators typically cost more than aerating shoes but less than rolling aerators. While any of the manual lawn aerators in the matrix above will get the job done, there are other excellent choices available.

Just step on the platform to drive the double prongs deep into the ground, tilt and pull back, and two plugs of soil drop into the attached collecting container.

Wheel forward and repeat. Push the four curved spikes into the ground, twist, and voila! When should I aerate my lawn? While spring is an acceptable time to aerate any lawn, the best time depends on the type of grass you have. As a general rule, aerate cool-season grasses, such as ryegrass, fescue, and bluegrass, in the early spring, after the last frost date for your area, or in the early fall, before cold weather sets in.

For warm-season grasses, which include Bermuda grass, zoysia, and St. Augustine, late spring is the ideal time for aeration. Should I clean up the plugs of soil scattered atop my lawn after using a plug aerator?

If you find the plugs unsightly, go ahead and rake them up and dispose of them in your compost pile. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

Bottom Line. Best of the Best. Yard Butler. Check Price. Simple and Dependable Bottom Line. Best Bang for the Buck. Abco Tech. Innovative Action Bottom Line. Easy to Use Bottom Line. Complete Convenience Bottom Line. Tried and True Bottom Line. Click here for testing insights. Models Considered. Consumers Consulted. Featuring a dual start system for safety, folding handles for storage it has a working width of 32cm wide, along with four depth settings.

The body is made from plastic, which feels sturdy, and it has a generous 40L collection bag. It comes with a two-year warranty. The Vonhaus W 2-in-1 Scarifier is a sturdy machine, with a robust but lightweight plastic body, which weighs It has folding handles for easy storage, a dual start system for safety, and a built-in thermal cut out if it overheats. The generously-sized 55L collection bag is moderately efficient, but misses some debris as there is a gap between the box and the blades.

It has a two-year warranty. Read the full Vonhaus W 2-in-1 Scarifier review. It comes with two interchangeable drums, one with spring tines for scarification and the other with blades for shallow aeration, which is designed to help improve lawn health, rather than relieve compacted soil or open the structure of heavy clay.

It takes minutes to charge, but is easy to plug in and has a helpful charge indicator, although this is faint in daylight. Thanks to smooth, high-quality wheels, it feels lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, which is surprising given that it weighs 15kg. Powerful aerating blades cut through the top layer of soil well, to help improve lawn health, rather than relieve compacted soil or open the structure of heavy clay, and in doing so, also tackles most of the thatch and moss in the lawn.

The scarifying drum attachment was effective on moss too, though not as efficient with thatch. However, this machine struggles with inclines. The machine itself is easy to use, and we loved being able to see the charge indicator through the transparent window. Unfortunately, the instructions are poor, so it takes a while to get this machine up and running. On the plus side, at 38cm wide, it covers a large area of lawn, reducing how long you spend on the job, but its size makes this scarifier very bulky and difficult to store.

To see how well lawn aerators perform, the GW reviews team tested a range of models across a range of garden situations — creating holes and furrows in different turf and ground conditions. Before we started, we checked for any wildlife in the grass and organic debris on the lawn surface. The lawn aerators were compared, and the following criteria used to calculate the scores, with equal weight given to each:.

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Home Reviews Lawn care Seven of the best lawn aerators: manual grass spike rollers and electric lawn aerators. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made.

Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more. The best time to aerate the lawn is after rainfall, when the ground is damp and soft, otherwise it can be quite hard work. While it sounds very hands on, doing it once or twice a year will make a big difference and help keep your lawn healthy.

When it comes to choosing whether you go for an electric, cordless or petrol aerator, consider the pros and cons that are associated with each type: Spike shoes — cheap and easy to use, they are most effective on soft — but not soggy — ground in small gardens. Greenkey Manual Lawn Aerator.