When do you guys aerate your lawns?

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by Allison Taylor, Oct 17, 2014.

  1. Allison Taylor

    Allison Taylor Apprentice Gardener

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    So, I was wondering today when to aerate my lawn and what tools to use. So, I decided to ask you for your opinion. What is your experience with lawn aeration tools? And when do you guys aerate your lawns?
     
  2. Lolimac

    Lolimac Guest

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    Hi Allison,I just use an old fashioned garden fork,very time consuming though and I do it now as my lawn gets very waterlogged,I also do it in the spring too.There are tools for the job which I keep promising myself I get but haven't as yet:blue thumb:
     
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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      same here garden fork as Loli said it takes ages depending on the size of lawn , and then brush sand/top soil in to help with drainage down the fork holes.

      Spruce
       
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      • Allison Taylor

        Allison Taylor Apprentice Gardener

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        I made a small research on the weekend and I found this lawn aeration guide on Issuu, which also contains some info about the tools that can be used for the procedure. I think that those lawn aeration shoes sound pretty useful. When using them, you actually combine lawn aeration and a booty work out, plus you can manage some other lawn chore while walking around your lawn. Using a garden fork also sounds good, but I think that would be too much hard labour for me. :D I will probably get a pair of spiking shoes and use them. Thank you for the opinions. :)
         

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        • Ellen

          Ellen Total Gardener

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          We've got an aerator that looks like a lawnmower but isn't. We tend to aerate when it's looking a little 'clogged up'. Our lawn covers a soak away so we don't ideally need it waterlogged :)
           
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          • Kristen

            Kristen Under gardener

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            I use a hollow tine aerator in the Autumn. I have a gubbins I can tow behind a garden tractor, but they are available to hire too. Much quicker and less effort than "by hand", especially for anyone with a lawn bigger than a pocket handkerchief!
             
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            • "M"

              "M" Total Gardener

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              Those shoes may sound like a good idea, but that are not quite as effective as they make out - the tines aren't very long for a start.
               
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                Simple answer from me. Never! :heehee: :old:
                 
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                • "M"

                  "M" Total Gardener

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                  Gosh you are just sooooo lazy! :nonofinger:


                  :whistle:



                  :heehee:

                  :imphrt:
                   
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                  • shiney

                    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                    I've spent well over half a century perfecting it! :blue thumb:
                     
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                    • "M"

                      "M" Total Gardener

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                      And ... it shows (you l'il perfectionist, you :pathd:) :)
                       
                    • shiney

                      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                      I was asked to give lessons, but I can't be bothered!! :heehee:
                       
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                      • nFrost

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                        Agreed, with a garden fork you can get the full length of the fork in. Pretty tiring (with a cig hanging out your mouth anyway!).
                         
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                        • Allison Taylor

                          Allison Taylor Apprentice Gardener

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                          Well, do I really need the full length of the fork? Isn't it enough to spike as deep as 6 inches? That guide I shared advises so, and I found one more resource that recommends the spiking to be between 2 and 6 inches deep. Using a garden fork sounds like a lot of hard work to manage.
                           
                        • Kristen

                          Kristen Under gardener

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                          Two inches may well be enough, but the holes need to be a decent size - the sort of size that a fork would make if wiggled a bit. Not sure what size holes the Shoes make, but I think the ones I have seen look like they just have regular nails through the soles, and if so I think the holes are too skinny - they will clog up almost immediately, whereas larger diameter holes will continue to work for longer, plus if you put down a top dressing of sand etc. that will find its way into the holes and thereby keep them "open" (well ... functioning as a drain)
                           
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