Choosing a lawn aerators

A green lawn with emerald grass is the dream of many summer residents, but it is unlikely to come true if you do not purchase such a device as a lawn aerator. Hand and foot mechanical (sandals), gasoline and electric varieties of this garden tool are focused on improving air access to plant roots. It is worth talking in more detail about how to make the simplest version of the aerator with your own hands, what to look for when choosing it.

To maintain a normal metabolism, the ecosystem of the lawn requires only 3 things: sufficient watering, normal nutrition and oxygen access to the roots. When these ingredients are in the right balance, you don't have to worry about the color and density of your lawn. It is in order to improve the nutrition of the grass carpet, to rid it of fallen or dry grass, that a lawn aerator is needed. With the help of this tool, mechanical soil cultivation is performed, aimed at piercing its upper layer - to improve oxygen metabolism.

The main purpose of this tool is reflected even in its name. The use of aerators for lawn care is appreciated by many gardeners. With the right size and type of equipment, you can ensure that the soil surface is reworked on a regular basis. It is worth considering that the lawn carpet becomes dense over time, it is difficult to thin it out, especially over a large area, root nutrition deteriorates. Aeration helps to solve this problem, moreover, it is vital for:

• areas with clay soil;
• rolled sites;
• lawns that have not been cleaned since autumn - where dry grass is abundant.

Combined garden equipment often appears on sale. Scarifiers, in fact, are a subspecies of aerators, but with a wider range of tasks. If the classic version has only thorns for piercing the soil, its additional varieties have a wider set of accessories. According to the method of contact with the soil, there are 2 main options for equipment.

1. Scarifier. The rotary rake technique is sometimes presented as a hand tool. During operation, it loosens the soil shallowly (up to 20 mm), removes dry foliage, blades of grass, moss, and other debris accumulated on the surface. After the scarifier passes on the surface of the lawn, a kind of "bald spots" may appear, which then quickly overgrow with new greenery.
2. Verticutter. A device with knives, which also solve the problem of aeration. They plunge into the soil to a depth of 30 mm, cutting through even the driest crust. Old garbage collection takes place in parallel.

In fact, the difference between aerator, scarifier and verticutter lies in the strength of the impact. The simplest option has minimal impact on the soil and root system. It is well suited for lawn maintenance on loose and sandy soils. For heavy, dense loams and alumina, you will need a verticutter.

Used for loosening and removing old grass from the lawn, the aerator works on the principle of a rake and a ripper. It pierces the soil with thorns, providing air access to the plant roots. Under this name, you can also find hybrid options, the principle of operation of which is somewhat different from the classic one. Here, replaceable drums can be used, designed for different types of soil and density of roots, or several shafts at once, each of which performs its own functions.

A manual aerator is the most common type of garden tool. It looks like several rows of rakes attached to a drum. The shaft, placed inside, rotates, the whole structure is fixed on a long comfortable handle. This type of tool is often referred to as a "loosener".

It is versatile, perfect for the following types of work:

• aeration of lawns and lawns;
• fertilization - to accelerate their penetration deep into the soil;
• control of fast-growing weeds (optimally in combination with a flat cutter).

The foot aerator is an interesting solution that looks like a kind of sandal version, worn over ordinary shoes. It has a base made of wood, cork or thick rubber, in which spikes 5-10 cm long are fixed.When self-made, most often ordinary nails act in this role, platforms are attached to the shoes with belts. The design looks original, but it is difficult to call it very effective.

In the absence of special aeration equipment, the most common garden forks can be used. They puncture the soil by about 15 cm. The work turns out to be quite laborious, but it is quite possible to cope with it even in the absence of experience.

Wheel-driven mechanical aerators are another option for lawn cultivation. Usually it is used on large sites, by attaching the "cart" to the walk-behind tractor. It is quite difficult to manually manage a clumsy and heavy structure.

Aerators of this type are the most powerful and efficient. The motor in them is often hybrid, with the possibility of switching to natural gas as fuel. The power of the devices reaches 1.8-6.5 hp, outwardly the technique is similar to a lawn mower, has a rotating element under the bottom, and a grass catcher for waste is located at the back. The grip width varies from 360 to 500 mm, the penetration depth is from 5 to 30 mm.

By the type of their design, gasoline aerators can be self-propelled and driven by the effort of the operator. Among the obvious advantages of this type of technique are:

• high productivity;
• site processing speed;
• ease of maneuvering;
• energy independence;
• power.

The negative aspects of operation include harm to the environment, equipment noise.

Almost silent and absolutely safe for the environment, electric aerators are the best choice for mowing a country lawn. The equipment works with an electric motor with a power of 500-2000 W, the working width usually varies from 300 to 400 mm. The tillage depth can usually be adjusted. There are self-propelled and non-self-propelled models, some come with a grass catcher, like a lawn mower.

Electric aerators are wired, connected to the mains, and also rechargeable. The first option is optimal for small lawns around the house.If the lawn is located away from sources of electrical energy, it is better to give preference to models with a battery.

Among the obvious advantages of electric aerators are:

• minimum noise level;
• increased productivity in comparison with mechanical ones;
• ease of management;
• ease of maintenance;
• no harmful emissions.

There are also inconveniences. The main disadvantage of wired models is the need for the additional purchase of a special extension cord. Do not operate a power tool in the rain or on wet grass. Battery variants have a limited working resource, and charge replenishment is slow.

Ranking the best aerator models is not easy. There are many models of different types, classes and performances on the market. It is worth considering the most popular options in more detail to figure it out.

The most popular category of gardening equipment, there are hybrid models with verticutter functions that can handle different types of tasks. But you can also choose simpler samples designed for only 1 type of work. Five aerators are among the top sellers with positive customer reviews.

• Caiman Cesar 1800EL. Professional grade aerator with 1800 W electric motor. In addition to the off-road wheels, it is equipped with dew protection, the body is steel, not plastic, the blades are made of cold-rolled steel and remain sharp for a long time. The manufacturer is a French brand that is popular all over the world, the equipment is guaranteed for 5 years.

• Champion ESC1840. The model with replaceable shafts, can work as an aerator or scarifier, is characterized by increased cross-country ability. It is one of the most powerful electrical engineering options with a 1800 W motor and a working element width of 400 mm.

• Gardena ES 500. Smallest wired model with 500W motor power. Among its advantages are weight of only 10 kg, ease of storage, speed of work. The width of the working mechanism is 300 mm, the model is designed for processing up to 400 m2 of area.

• Viking LE 540. A modern hybrid with the functions of aerator and scarifier, powered by the mains, has 7 pairs of knives with a depth of immersion up to 25 mm. The technique can be supplemented with a commercially available cloth bag. A convenient solution for complex lawn care.

• Greenworks G40DT30. A compact, battery-powered version of equipment for processing a small area. This is a combined scarifier with a battery capacity reserve for 1 hour of operation. Suitable for small lawn maintenance.

Manual models, moved by the forces of the owner himself, rotate like rollers, often there are wheels on the sides for easier movement. These models can be found at hardware stores or specialty garden centers.

This class includes powerful models with an internal combustion engine, designed for long continuous operation. Among the most popular aerators of this type, there are three.

• STIHL RL540. The model with a 2.2 kW gasoline engine easily copes with the processing of large areas. The width of the working element is 380 mm, the immersion depth of the knives is adjustable. The equipment has 6 operating modes, there is a folding handle, but there is no grass catcher, it can be purchased separately.

• Cub Cadet XC1 B40. Fully functional model combining the capabilities of aerator and scarifier.The penetration depth of the soil reaches 150 mm, it can be adjusted, the width of the working area reaches 400 mm. The model is classified as a professional one due to its increased cross-country ability, articulated sharp knives, an automatic system for changing shafts.

• Daewoo Power Products DSC 4000. Multifunctional model from a leading Korean manufacturer. The set includes 2 shafts at once: one - with verticutter knives, the second - with needles for aeration. The technique is belt-driven, with a 5 hp motor. easily copes with intense loads, in the presence of a grass catcher and a transformer handle.

Other types of aerators are less in demand. Mechanical models are most often created independently, by welding, their performance is low. The simplest options for leg attachments can be found in hardware stores, most often made in China.

The choice of a lawn aerator largely depends on the exact area of ​​the site to be worked out. If we are talking about a small lawn under the windows, you can get by with the simplest options. For a huge sports field or a vast park area, you will need robust and high-performance equipment.

Let's list the basic rules for choosing.

1. For small to medium sized lawns. You can choose between a conventional hand-held aerator or a compact mains operated electric model. Such a technique will not cause complaints from neighbors, it will help to easily maintain the lawn in an attractive condition.
2. For a public lawn in a densely built-up area. This requires a maneuverable, but compact technique. It is worth considering the option of a battery aerator or take a low-power gasoline model that is easy to operate in cramped conditions.
3. For a large lawn in a private area. A powerful electric or gasoline aerator that can work for a long time without interruption is suitable. If we are talking about a site where work is carried out periodically, it is worthwhile to immediately dwell on a non-volatile, albeit noisy, version.
4. For professional care of natural lawns. There are no alternatives here - only models with internal combustion engines running on gasoline or from a gas cylinder.
5. For regular processing. You can choose a model with slightly perforated teeth. This will be enough to keep the lawn neat and tidy.
6. For neglected or old cover, clay soils. If aeration is carried out irregularly, you should immediately prefer a multifunctional model like a verticutter: with knives and a function for combing out the grass. This will tidy up even the most neglected lawn.
7. Packaging matters. If we are talking about electric or gasoline versions, it is worth choosing from the very beginning a model with a scarifier attachment or with an alternative in the form of a scarifier. The fact is that the soil is gradually compacted when rolling, which means that it will need a full-fledged cutting every 1-2 years (with the removal of part of the roots and wilted grass). The presence of a grass catcher is also a great advantage for vehicles with an electric or gasoline drive and a scarifier function.

Considering these recommendations, you can easily choose an aerator for a lawn of any area, degree of grooming and prescription of sowing. It doesn't always take a lot to give your lawn a good look. For those who like to independently and regularly do the garden, it will be interesting to purchase a manual aerator for a start in order to evaluate its effectiveness in practice.

Aeration can be in autumn or spring, depending on the characteristics of the lawn and the personal preferences of the owner. On clayey soils, dense, poorly permeable to water and air, it is performed twice. Many people prefer to carry out the procedure in the spring, when during the treatment it is possible at the same time to make visual observations of the general condition of the lawn: identify bald patches or overgrown bumps. Autumn aeration is carried out in September, at least 2 months before frost - such an intervention will be the most gentle.

You should watch the lawn, because the schedule is a rather arbitrary thing. If water does not leave the surface after watering, puddles remain - this is a sure sign that it is time to carry out aeration out of turn. It is worth considering that the lasting effect of the procedure appears only after 2-3 seasons.

Instructions for using all types of aerators are quite simple - you just need to follow certain rules.

1. Take care of safety. When using electric and gasoline models, you need to wear closed clothes and shoes (work boots are suitable), protect your hands with gloves, and protect your face with a shield or glasses. Sandals on the feet when using a mechanical device in the form of platforms are also worn on a closed foot, a thick sole is desirable.
2. Consider the features of the lawn. Sometimes processing is required not 1-2, but 3-4 times a year, sports lawns are completely aerated monthly. It is necessary to carry out an unscheduled procedure after a long drought or when the area is flooded, before fertilizing. The basic principle is simple: the denser the soil, the more often it needs additional oxygen. Young lawns begin to be aerated only 3 years after sowing with a root depth of more than 5 cm.
3. Prepare the site. It needs to be mowed to a height of 5 cm. Then remove the weeds that will appear after cutting. The lawn should be thoroughly watered 3-5 days before the procedure.
4. Choose the right day. Aeration is not required in hot weather. If the work is carried out in the summer, it is worth aeration in the evening hours.
5. Carry out processing. You need to move in cross rows with a gap between them of 4-5 cm. The puncture depth, if there is an adjustment, is selected in the range of 100-150 mm.

After treating the lawn with an aerator, it is imperative to wait a few days, and then break up the clods of earth that have fallen on the surface with a rake. After that, the lawn is watered, the grass is sown where necessary, sand and fertilizers are added.

In order for the technique to start working, you must carefully follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer. In general, aerators with internal combustion engines are launched according to a similar principle:

• transferring the throttle valve to the desired position;
• jerk kickstarter;
• warming up the engine;
• reverse switching of the damper to the working position.

The aerator is quite easy to make with your own hands when it comes to the mechanical type of this device. The easiest option is sandals with spiked nails. You can easily make them if you have 2 pieces of thick rubber or plywood; to give the desired shape to the soles, you will need a jigsaw. For thorns, nails or self-tapping screws with a flat head with a length of 100 mm or more are needed; canvas belts will help to fix the shoes on the feet.

The work process consists of 4 steps.

1. Sole making. It is cut from scrap materials, separately for each foot, the area should be larger than ordinary shoes - you can take snowshoes as a basis. In total, you will need 2 identical blanks for each leg.
2. Installation of thorns. You need to take 1 blank for each leg and drive or screw 12-15 nails, screws into them.
3. Assembly. On top of the sides with hats, put the second parts of the blanks, fix them. This will avoid injury to the operator's foot if the cleat loosens in the socket. Use a jigsaw to cut through the lugs for the fasteners. Insert straps and buckles.
4. Ready-made sandals are worn over regular boots and moved around the lawn. The grass will not be affected and the oxygen supply to the roots will be improved.

The hedgehog roller is another popular option for a hand-made homemade aerator. To make it, you need a welding machine and metal scraps - all installation is done in this way. The principle of creation is quite simple: it is enough to weld spikes to the tube, put it on a shaft rigidly fixed to the frame, attach a handle. A vice is useful for fixing during work, cutting and cutting metal is easy to perform with a grinder.

How to make an aerator with your own hands, see the video.