To maintain a beautiful lawn, it needs to be fed, watered, weeded, and mowed regularly.
Aerating your lawn with lawn aerator is one of the best ways…
…to ensure that your efforts are maximized and to prevent bare patches.
Compacted soil, especially clay-based soils, prevents water…
…and fertilizer from reaching grass roots.
The appearance of grass is directly related to the health of the roots.
Aeration improves soil conditions in yards covered in thick thatch, which keeps water from absorbing into the soil. The tines or spikes on an aerator dig through the thatch and help it break down more quickly.
Heather Blackmore – Writer & Photographer Specializing in Gardening
Compaction occurs when the pockets between soil particles collapse in high-traffic areas…
…or when soil is not properly prepared before seeding or laying sod.
Thatch, a mixture of dead grass and leaves, makes things worse if it covers the soil and grass.
By aerating, air, water, and nutrients are able to reach the roots, helping the grass regain its health.
Consider the size of the lawn, ease of use, soil type, durability…
…and aeration depth when selecting an aeration tool.
Plugs or spikes are used in aerators. Clay soils are best suited for plugs (also called cores).
A plug aerator has hollow tines that penetrate the ground and remove soil plugs.
If you have difficulty digging into your lawn or if water pools in the grass after a heavy rain…
…you should consider a plug aerator.
In spike aerators, long spikes puncture the ground and work well on sandy or loamy soil.
Let’s hear Blake’s experience first…
Lawn maintenance is demanding, there’s no doubt about it.
For grass to remain verdant and lush, it must be watered, mowed, and weeded regularly.
When bare patches persist despite my best efforts, compacted soil is most likely to blame.
Using a lawn aerator yearly allows air and water to reach my lawn’s roots.
It may be the key to unlocking the gate to greener pastures.
Now, let’s get started…
Choosing a Lawn Aerator
Soil Type
It is recommended to choose a plug aerator if you have hard, clay soil…
…or water puddles in your grass after rain.
When larger pieces or plugs of soil are removed…
…nutrients can be more easily absorbed by the roots of the grass.
When the soil is sandy or loamy, a spike aerator’s narrower punctures will provide the aeration you need.
Are you unsure of your soil type?
Squeeze a handful of soil.
When you hold it in your hand, it forms a hard lump.
You have sandy or loamy soil if it does not stick together and falls away easily.
Material
The durability of yard equipment is always an important consideration.
Landscapers drive aerators deep into the ground, putting them through particularly rough use.
Because of this, the materials used in construction must be taken into account.
In general, the best lawn aerators use stainless, galvanized…
…or heat-treated steel for the spikes or knives that dig into the ground.
Rust-resistant, these materials can withstand rocks and other rough terrains.
Stainless spikes are best for shoe-style aerators.Take into account tow-behind aerators as well.
Your lawn will be aerated for years to come with powder-coated frames, trays, and other components.
Lawn Size
Aerators that pull behind are large pieces of garden equipment…
…that aren’t effective on narrow or small lots.
A tow-behind aerator is most effective on lawns larger than half an acre and in regular shape.
When shopping, consider the width of the aerator and the radius of your turn.
A push aerator, a handheld model, or aerator shoes are ideal…
…for smaller lawns and irregularly shaped spaces.
Additional Equipment and Storage Space
Tow-behind aerators will need something to pull them along.
You’ll need a lawn tractor, ATV, or small utility vehicle.
Tow-behind and push models also require weights to penetrate the soil (usually several concrete blocks).
Consider the amount of storage space required for all of these items.
Rent or Buy?
When the time comes to aerate, renting the machine may be a good option.
Nevertheless, you must plan ahead, reserve it, pick it up, and haul it home. Afterward, return it by the due date.
What if you owned a lawn aerator? Yes, you would be paying some cash up front.
However, you would never need to rent a lawn aerator again.
It’s likely you would use it more often if you just had to pull it out of your garage.
It is not necessary to make preparations or reservations in advance.
There is no need to find a friend with a pickup or a trailer. There is no need to rush to avoid late fees.
Here are the best aeration tools for clay and loose soils…
Our Top Picks on Lawn Aerator
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top | Brinly PA-48BH Tow Behind Plug Aerator, 48-Inch | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
Top | Agri-Fab 45-0544 40-Inch Spike Aerator, Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
Top | Agri-Fab 45-0299 48-Inch Tow Plug Aerator,Orange & Black,Large | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
Top | Agri-Fab 45-0365 16-Inch Push Spike Aerator,black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Brinly-Hardy PA-40BH Tow Behind Plug Aerator
- Aerate & Relieve Compacted Soil: 32 heat-treated, 16-gauge Steel plugging spoons penetrate compacted soil and remove up to 3-inch plugs of soil, allowing water, seed, and fertilizer to reach the roots. Brinly plug design is narrower with sharpened ends to allow easier penetration and require less weight.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Aerators with universal hitches have been found to be the best choice for anyone with a large lawn…
…whether they are lawn tractors, UTVs, or ATVs.
We believe this durable, all-steel construction aerator…
…with “no-flat” tires is our best overall choice since plug aerators are essential for clay soils.
The 40-inch width and 24 3-inch plugs make it easier to cover large areas quickly.
In order to facilitate proper penetration, concrete blocks will be placed on a weight tray holding 150 pounds.
You can quickly disengage the plugs to avoid sidewalks…
…and sprinkler components with an easy-to-use transport lever.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty design
- Large width and 24 plugs
- Suitable for sand and clay soils
Cons:
- A lawn tractor is required for use
- Weights not included
Keep reading…
Agri-Fab 40-in Spike Lawn Aerator
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Agri-Fab Spike Aerator is an excellent choice for sandy soils…
…since it is much easier to aerate them than clay soils.
It has 10 spikes and a weight tray that can hold 100 pounds of balance weight…
…as well as a universal hitch for any lawn tractor or UTV. The hitch can be folded up for easier storage.
The galvanized spikes can penetrate to a depth of 2.5-inches, and there is a lever to adjust the height.
The flat-free tires roll smoothly and will never need to be inflated.
The solid steel aerator comes with a three-year limited warranty.
Pros:
- 40-inch width with 10 spikes
- Heavy-duty construction
- Best for sandy soils
Cons:
- Requires a lawn tractor to operate
- Weights not included
- Large storage space required
Go on…
Agri-Fab 48-Inch Tow Plug Aerator
- 32 galvanized knives to penetrate the soil easily.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Heavy-duty lawn aerators are necessary for heavy soils.
Agri-Fab plug aerators have 32 galvanized plugs that penetrate three inches deep.
Designed to hold 175 pounds of weight (5 concrete blocks), the steel construction will last a lifetime.
During use, secure the blocks with bungee cords to prevent shifting.
The cantilever transport handle makes raising and lowering plugs easy with its universal hitch…
…which fits all lawn tractors and UTVs.
The ten-inch tires won’t deflate and will roll smoothly even on rutted terrain.
Pros:
- 48-inch width with 32 spikes
- Heavy-duty design
- Ideal for large lawns with clay soil
Cons:
- Requires a lawn tractor to operate
- Weights not included
- Requires large storage space
Last, but not least…
Agri-Fab Push Spike Aerator
- Walk-behind spike lawn aerator; 16 inch wide; 5 aerating wheels with 7-inch spikes
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
With the Agri-Fab push aerator, you can still aerate the lawn without a lawn tractor.
This compact, spiked lawn mower is suitable for small lawns with loam soil.
Despite measuring just 16 inches wide, it can accommodate a concrete block…
…to push the five spiked discs into the soil to a depth of 2.5 inches.
Aerators can be pushed or pulled.
The table stands 38 inches high, weighs about 27 pounds, and has a small footprint for storage.
Pros:
- Affordable compared to larger models
- Compact storage footprint
- Fits in small spaces
Cons:
- Requires physical effort
- Covers only a small area at a time
Sum Up
A lawn aerator can bring fresh life to your lawn.
The deeper and wider the roots of the lawn are…
…the more water, nutrients, and air they need to enrich the soil.
Users can now proudly sit back and enjoy a greener, healthier lawn.
Conclusion
We recommend the Brinly-Hardy 40-inch Tow Behind Plug Aerator…
…because it is strong and goes well with clay, sand, and sandy soils alike.
The Agri-Fab Spike Aerator is a great choice if you are specifically looking for a tow-behind spike lawn aerator.
With its galvanized spikes, it can penetrate a depth of 2.5 inches and will last for many years.