There are two methods of aerating, and depending on the condition of your soil, you’ll want either a hollow plug aerator or a spiked aerator. If your soil is very compacted, use a plug aerator . By removing plugs of soil from the ground, these aerators can dramatically improve drainage and create long-lasting aeration.

If you’re an owner of a middle-sized or large lawn, consider the VonHaus 2-in-1 model. Powered by electricity, it will make an easy job of taking care of your lawn, requiring no elbow grease from you. Here are some tips, information, and advice on lawn aerator products that will hopefully give you a better idea about the right type for your gardening needs. Which aerator type is best for you? Removing plugs of soil can also help with drainage in compacted ground. If the ground is too compact, water can end up sitting on top of the soil, unable to drain. Not only can this make the garden unpleasant to walk in, but it can damage the grass and soil. Removing plugs of soil will help water drain better.There are 3 main types of lawn aerator on the market – roller spike aerators, tine aerators and spiked shoe aerators. The Greenkey Rolling Lawn Aerator is the model to invest in if you’re looking for something a little better than a basic model. The length of the spikes is just about the right length at 5cm, and it is wide enough to let in air and water effectively without messing up the aesthetic appeal of your lawn. I have noticed that where my lawn used to puddle in heavy rain, it no longer does this now after aerating the lawn. You wear these aeration shoes while also wearing regular shoes – there are four adjustable velcro straps you use to secure them in place. It’s important that you do up the straps correctly, otherwise the shoes might slip as you use them. There are no instructions, so it might take a bit of experimentation with the straps to find a setup that helps to keep them secured. Whether this will be beneficial for your soil or not can depend on what type of soil you have. Adding sand to clay soils can cause it to lump together more, not less. Choosing the Right Type of Aerator By appearance, the Kingfisher RC401 resembles a pitchfork. However, there are certain features that make it different. First things first, unlike regular pitchforks, the tines on this tool are hollow inside and have pointed tips, which allows you to push them deeper into the ground for better aeration. And secondly, it has a sturdy horizontal crossbar above the spikes where you can rest your foot to push the fork, making the whole process much more convenient.

The galvanized spikes can penetrate to a depth of 2.5 inches, and it has a lever for height adjustment. The flat-free tires roll smoothly and will never need to be filled. With a three-year limited warranty, this solid steel aerator will last through many years of lawn care. As a general rule, you want to make a lot of holes, all over your lawn. Try to ensure an even spread, with at least 4cm between each hole. If you’re using aeration shoes, the spacing of the solid tines on the sole will show how far apart the holes should be. This is a 2-in-1 aerator and scarifier and comes with both a 48 claw aerator roller, and a 20 blade, stainless steel spike drum for scarifying. Both are ball bearings mounted for smooth operation and longevity. Spiked aerator shoes require a bit of getting used to, and some leg muscle as well, to pull the spikes out of the ground. But they can be a good way to cover small areas. You just need to be careful not to wear the shoes on any hard surfaces, as the spikes can bend and break. These shoe aerators won’t create as deep a hole as other types.They are simple, cheap and work really well if you get a decent pair and the only thing that lets them down is that they require you to walk around the garden for quite a long time and it can be quite tiring – from my perspective as I mention above it’s a great opportunity for exercise and clearing a chore. I like the look of the ABREOME Lawn Aerator Shoes. Fork aerators will hollow tines The shoes have anti-slip pads on the bottom to help prevent them from slipping off your boots on wet grass. Plus, the shoes come with a steel shovel you can use to clean out dirt from between the spikes when needed. Overall, we think this aerator might not be the best option for a large lawn, but we think it's great for smaller lawns as long as you don't mind the extra effort.

I include this multi-functional model in my Best Aerator review because if you have a great deal of lawn thatch on your grass (especially in spring), you need to remove this barrier before you aerate your lawn. I do have a separate review for scarifiers but you may prefer the convenience of this all-in-one machine as it also comes with a second attachment for aerating the lawn. It’s also an easy machine to assemble. It takes around 15 minutes to put together and all you need is a Phillips screwdriver.The size of your lawn will play a big part in what kind of aerator you should buy. If you only have a small area to deal with, then a hollow tine aerator can give you great holes before you get too tired. It would be worth taking a look at our article on aerating your lawn for more information. Whilst not the most comfortable of shoes, they can be slipped on over gardening boots without much difficulty. They usually have adjustable straps so will fit almost any shoe size. If using a hollow tine or plug lawn aerator, you will have a number of soil plugs left over on your grass when you’re done. The metal prongs that do the digging could maybe be a little longer but as they are they do what they’re supposed to if you remember to wet the soil first. While it is acceptable to aerate when damp, don't do it after heavy rains; you'll end up with a muddy mess that makes it hard for the lawn to recover.

Priced sensibly, I wasn’t expecting much quality-wise, but the BMC Lawn Aerator isn’t at all what I would call flimsy. The metal roller and prongs all seem to be strong and robust and they do exactly what they are supposed to- poke neat holes in the grass and soil without tearing it up.These types of aerators are best suited to those with small gardens, have time for this type of activity and are physically fit. Lawn Aerator Shoes Good for: medium-sized lawns, and people looking for a simple, cost-effective way to aerate their grass. Lawn aerator shoes Specification: Power consumption: 1500W, Working width: 32cm, Working Depth (scarifier): -12, -8, -4, +4mm , Working Depth (aerator): -15, -11, -7, +1mm , Weight: 8.5kg,