Aeration Equipment

A lawn that’s well used tends to get compacted over time. Between the kids playing and routine upkeep, soil can get squished down, and a layer of dead grass and roots gets tangled together forming thatch. This prevents the optimal circulation of air, water, and nutrients to the grass. Fortunately a bit of aeration can take care of this issue. There are a few different pieces of equipment that can aerate, so keep reading to find out more.

Core Aerator

Core (or plug) aerators use hollow tines to dig into soil and pull out plugs of turf, creating small holes or voids. This encourages the flow of air, water, and vital nutrients throughout a lawn. The lawn will be able to better retain and drain water, rather than having it build up or escape without doing much for the grass. Fertilizers will be able to better penetrate the turf as well. The downsides of core aerating are minimal, mostly comes from the time it takes to perform in relation to the size of a lawn and equipment used. They’re also quite intrusive and can leave a lawn surface looking rather uneven. However, the long term benefits of core aerating can last all year, so it’s definitely worth your time to do.

Spike Aerator

Spike aerators make small holes in soil, pushing aside turf and creating pockets where air and water can more easily flow. As opposed to the core aerator, a spike aerator won’t remove any turf or soil, so the surface of the lawn retains an even look. Spiking is faster and easier, so there’s less work involved. However, the effects won’t last as long, and the benefits aren’t as great. But spike aerators are great to quickly prep a lawn for seeding or fertilizer, especially if you’re working on a sloped surface.

Manual vs Motorized

There are a couple of options when it comes to aerator operation. The main division comes down to powered or unpowered. Landscapers that often find themselves needing to aerate lawns should look at powered units, since even with a bit of oomph behind you, the aerating process can take some time. Most common are walk-behind motorized aerators. These operate much like a mower, with a powerful engine that works to do the aerating while an operator guides it along. Bigger, more powerful aerators come in pull-behind attachments for riding mowers.

Unpowered aerators are similar to powered models. They can be like push mowers, with an operator guiding and pushing the aerator along. You can also find aerator shoes that have long spikes on the bottom. These shoes are affordable and go great in combination with a push or walk-behind mower. Simple tools like pitchforks or specialized manual aerators are also an option, though they involve serious time and are physically demanding, making them less attractive to lawn care professionals.

Head to Scott’s Power Equipment for your chance to check out some great aeration equipment. We’re located in Bridgeton, Arnold, and Wentzville, Missouri. Come by today and let us help you find what you’re looking for.