When to aerate the lawn?

[Cherokee5975]

Early spring and then in the fall are the best times to aereate. I recommend it to all my customers and they are very happy with their yards. Some call me back after about a week and tell me they cant believe what a difference it makes.

 

[Black Bart]

I have a 4 foot aerator and it has V shaped tines I like it better than the plug type it make many more openings in the soil without the mess you get from a plug type.

I always roll in the early spring with a really big heavy roller and it makes the ground smooth but compacts it so as soon as i Finnish rolling I pull my 4 foot aerator to open it after the roller sealed it.

I wait a few days till it firms up they I use my fertilizer cart to spread granular fertilizer then turn on the underground sprinklers and soak the fertilizer down the slots in the lawn. :thumbsup:

If you reseed without thatching it will grow in the thatch but since it did not root down in the soil as soon as it gets hot and stops raining it will die.

For successful reseeding you should dethatch first.

 

[djrussell]

Does anyone know a good way to aerate without power equipment? It looks like there are a few options on the market that are very cheap in price and quality. There's the GRASS STITCHER but it seems pricey for what it is at $100 and I'm not convinced.

 

[KennyV]

When it is HOT & Dry, you do not want to aerate, that will just speed up moisture loss...

The Grass Stitcher, looks like it should be worth 19.99 NOT 99.99... It may be an okay 'small area seed prep tool, but not a good aerator...
There was a manual aerator that you strapped to your feet, and walked around with long spikes... I've never seen anyone actually do this, seems like it would be very cumbersome..
The few times you will use one in any growing season, a small pull type or a rental powered unit seems very practical... :smile:KennyV

 

[djrussell]

Those spiked shoes are all over amazon. People actually say they work well but are cheaply made and break. I wouldn't want to walk a whole lawn with them though.

Can you elaborate on a "small pull type". I don't have a tractor or equivalent to pull something with. The rental may be a good option though.

 

[KennyV]

Something like this...: Agri-Fab 40 in. Turf Shark Curved Spike Aerator - 45-0369 at The Home Depot
They are not really worth the price, but for a small area, should last a long time... You will have to catch the soil at the right moisture level to get them to work... They are rather light... Various manufactures have these, all very similar, various widths. ... :smile:KennyV

Another variation... It's called a 'push' aerator ... BUT by the timr you add enough weight to make it work... you will not be pushing it... you will be trying to pull it... Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

 

[djrussell]

Thanks for the response, KV.

The first one is for tractor pulling so is a no-go for me.

I've seen the second one and most people say it's junk. Perhaps if I modify it some it could work.

It seems there's an unclaimed market segment here. Here's some other results I came up with after some intense Googling.

Mantis Tiller Attachment. There's this one and a similar one from Honda that attach to their tillers. I assume this is what I would get at a rental store.

Draper Electric Model. It's from the UK though and only penetrates 12mm. What's the point in that?

20" Hand Push. This is about what I was thinking but $222 for this thing is a rip off. Building one would be an interesting project.

Time for more searching.

 

[benski]

dj;

That attachment for the mantis is a tiller, not an aerator. For $85.00, I rent a commercial aerator from my local rental outlet. This is for the whole day, and they have half day rates available as well. In that 8 hour time frame, I did a 3/4 acre lawn, drove 16 miles and did another 1/2 acre lawn, drove another 13 miles and did a site 75' X 550'. Maybe you and a neighbor can join forces and share the rental fee on one. I usually dethatch in the spring, then aerate and overseed, let the grass go through a couple of mowings, and then fertilize.

 

[KennyV]

The big problem ...
If it is light enough to push, it will be infective & usually 'junk'.
If you add weight to make it work, it becomes too heavy to push, and too heavy for it's light frame to support...
:smile:KennyV

 

[djrussell]

I'm arriving at that conclusion too.

Thanks for the tip, benski.