For smaller lawns and irregularly-shaped grass spaces, choose a push aerator, handheld model, or aerator shoes. We think the Yard Butler Lawn Coring Aerator is a great manual option for small yards with clay soil.

Aeration with solid spikes using equipment such as the garden fork, aerator sandals or shoes, rolling lawn aerators or powered machinery is generally done to a depth between 1 and 6 inches, with the top two inches being the most important. There are also star like slitters that can be inserted as a cassette into turf machinery or towed behind ride-on mowers or lawn tractors. The rest of the product is of slightly lower quality, as is expected of budget tools, but there was nothing to get me worried and I’m sure anyone would get their money’s worth out of this lawn aerator. The design includes a scraper bar to make the cylinder cleaner and smoother during use, and it also resists rust through regular treatment. The material is also subject to rust, but it's susceptible only at the joints between the cylinder and wheels. Just spray a little silicone grease on those spots for protection. Pushing a heavy weight over your lawn can damage it if not done properly, so it's worth taking the time to find the right roller for 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?We also found that with the electrical aerators that they come as a combination tool with interchangeable scarifying and aerating drums. These are expensive so a bit of an investment for something you only need to do once or twice a year. If you aerate in the soil, top dress your grass with a high-potassium autumn fertiliser, strengthening the turf and preparing your lawn for overwintering. Sow bare spots Compacted soil cause shallow roots in grass plants. When you make holes in the soil’s surface, air, water, and light reach the roots, encouraging deeper penetration into the earth. The only downside to this aerator is that the T-handle is a little narrow so users with larger hands may find it uncomfortable. There are no grips on the handles either, so it doesn’t quite offer the same comfort as padded garden tools. It has 30 metal spikes in total, which are each 45 mm long, and works well to aerate moist ground. Alongside this, the rolling lawn aerator is 30 cm wide, so it’s narrow enough to manoeuvre around smaller areas. As a result, this is one of the best aerators for small gardens.

If you're looking for a garden roller that is better suited to a smaller lawn, consider these rollers from Christow. The two key features of this lawn roller are its small width for manoeuvrability and its smaller capacity than many.

These are usually aerator/scarifier combo products and not strictly aerators in the purest sense. They are very powerful and do not require a lot of tiring work from you to operate. The problem with these lawn aerators is that they can tear up your lawn pretty badly. I’d normally recommend taking a look at the VonHaus 2 in 1 or the Einhell RG-SA 1433: Einhell RG-SA 1433 electric scarifier and lawn aerator If you're working on uneven ground, it may be necessary to detach the scraper bar. Your roller will function just as well without this bar and you can return it if need be. The dimensions of this roller are a fraction of the MaxxGarden.

If you're going to use sand for weight when filling the cylinder, we'd recommend using a funnel. Trying to fill it up without one will make a mess and likely get sand everywhere. If you’re planting new grass seed, aerating before sowing the seeds can give them the best possible start. This is just as true when overseeding as when planting grass seed for the first time. Most experts consider the “core” aeration method the superior approach – and that’s the approach we’re going to be exploring. How often should I aerate my lawn? Although this Swardman Professional Stainless Steel Hollow Tine Lawn Aerator is more expensive than the other hollow tine aerators featured here, it’s been designed to last a lifetime. It’s made from pure stainless steel and has three hollow tines that are easy to empty.

Whilst these aerator shoes are fairly easy to use, it’s worth noting that they work best if your lawn is watered thoroughly before use. When the soil is very dry, the spikes can be difficult to push into the ground. You’ll also need to get used to walking in these aerator shoes, as it can be a little hard to maintain balance. Though the device claims to be watertight, you may experience some minor splashing as you are rolling. If you're using concrete, be prepared to carry a heavy roller around with you - it won't go anywhere else. When it is emptied, the weight of this roller is 10.5 kilograms, which makes it an optimal choice for those looking to save space when storing their equipment. There's some assembly required before you can use it- but all the screws and pieces are fully labelled. You will need to attach the scraper bar manually, which is a simple task if you don't mind getting your hands dirty. Assembly takes just 15 minutes and it comes with a 28 L grass bag as well as a generous 10 m cable. The power cable is bright orange which means it is visible in the grass as well. Designed primarily for medium size areas, this VonHaus 2 in 1 Electric Lawn Scarifier and Aerator is a great budget option if you’re after an electric machine. It’s particularly useful as a scarifier, although the aerator works well in certain contexts.

If the lawn aerator removes plugs of soil, it will make the soil less compact. This can help grass roots to establish, if they have become overcrowded, improving the health of the grass. In smaller gardens, you can use hand-tool plug aerators to save money . These are relatively slow to use, but work well on small patches of lawn. You might even consider spiked shoes so you can walk around the garden whilst aerating the soil. However, the MaxxGarden does not offer a lot in terms of special features. It is also not terribly expensive, meaning it offers more value than high-end rollers that cost significantly more. As it is easy to guess from its name, this tool doubles as a lawn aerator and a scarifier thanks to the two interchangeable attachments that come in the box. The 16-tine scarifying roller not only allows you to remove thatch and moss from your lawn but also helps better air and water penetration by making deep holes in the soil. The aerating roller, in turn, comes equipped with 20 spikes that help clean the lawn from leaves, moss, and other debris. The debris is neatly collected into a 40-litre bag for further disposal. There are 3 main types of lawn aerator on the market – roller spike aerators, tine aerators and spiked shoe aerators.This lawn roller has a tube made of heavy-duty steel with rust-resistant coating so it lasts even in damp weather. The handlebar on this lawn roller is ergonomically designed to stop your hands from getting sore. It also has two sections that you can detach and fold up or remove completely for easy storage. Aside from the plug (core) handheld aerator, Yard Butler offers a spike handheld aerator which is better for sandy or loamy soil. The plug type has two tines that will penetrate up to 3.5 inches. The spike aerator has four 3-inch spikes. Both aerators are made of rust-resistant powder-coated steel, measuring 37 inches high and weighing around 4 pounds. Each has rubber padded handles and a footrest for ease in pushing the aerator into the soil. When empty, the whole thing weighs just 6 kilograms making it easy to transport. One of the best features is that this model has a scraper bar at the end which helps to maintain smooth rolling over your lawn. It has all of the features of higher-priced rollers. The handle has a comfortable rubber grip, which is much more comfortable for your hands and it can fold down to take up less space when not in use. There's a scraper bar to remove any debris that accumulates at the base of the cylinder with each rotation. And there's a hole in the cylinder so you can fill it up. The plug to cover it fits neatly, so you won't have to worry about leaks and such. Most people think about the width of their lawn when choosing what type of roller to buy. For most British gardens, a wide-open space, the perfect choice is usually a standard or jumbo-sized rubber blade roller. But not everyone has a total flat surface - maybe there are narrow spaces where you need to be more selective about your equipment? Make sure you find the best lawn roller for your own needs. Will It Damage Your Grass?