Lawn Aerator Styles

A helpful tool takes many shapes

The Stone Age

Several methods of lawn aeration exist.  Although they offer some relief to lawns suffering from soil compaction, a thoroughly aerated lawn has at least ten half-inch diameter holes made by the aerator per square foot. 

A spading fork, such as a braidfork, can be used to pierce the soil and, when gently rocked side to side, create tiny channels to let in air and moisture.  Aeration spikes for shoes provide another alternative, although the relatively shallow holes they produce do not generally provide sufficient aeration by themselves.

Manual lawn aerators, like push mowers, require considerable physical power to push because they weigh a great deal and operate through the action of foot pump.  These simple machines contain a series of hollow cylinders that drive deep into the ground and pull up plugs of earth.  Those undaunted by the labor involved may balk at the logistical difficulty of renting and transporting such a heavy machine. 

Modern marvels

A power lawn aerator (or core aerator) resembles a conventional motorized snow blower with the engine on top and wheels on the back or sides.   When started by a the pull of a chord, the gasoline powered machine plunges the cylinders into soil and pulls up "cores" of material, leaving behind a yard riddled with a network of beneficial holes.  These holes allow water, air, and nutrients to flow under the root system of the grass.

Sandy soil, lightly compacted soil, or previously aerated soil will benefit from a single pass, similar to the technique used to mow.  Highly compacted ground, clay soil, or previously untreated soil will require more than one pass, with the second set at an angle to the first to promote a thorough distribution of holes.

If the lawn has been treated within the year, you will typically want to aerate with a single pass, similar to a pattern in which you mow. If you have highly compacted ground, clay soil, or haven't had your lawn aerated in over a year, you will want to make two passes, with the second pass at a different angle.

The removed plugs, though unsightly, pose no risk to the yard.  Most gardeners prefer to rake the plugs, although they will naturally dissolve back into the earth, especially if watered.  The plugs can be used as ground cover for a scheduled reseeding, a desirable undertaking at such a time.  Generally, the effects of aeration will be all but invisible within a few weeks, although the benefits last much longer.

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