A Guide To Choosing A Lawn Aerating Machine

By Jessica Johnson


Worms and other ground bugs are meant to keep the soil properly loose so that air, water, and nutrients can circulate properly. However, due to one reason or other, this does not happen and the soil becomes compacted. One is then forced to use a lawn aerating machine to help the natural mechanisms. Otherwise, the large masses called thatches to starve and crowd the roots thus making it hard for the grass to thrive.

A lot of traffic on the grounds may cause this extreme compaction. Maybe the grounds are used for play or were stepped on too much during a construction. Soil layering is also a factor that may bring about compaction. If one notices that the ground is drying out too quickly and easily, then it is a sign that compaction is preventing proper activity. Take a shovel and dig out a slab. If the thatch is more than one inch thick then action needs to be taken.

Before starting, the process ensures the soil is moist enough. It would be nice to do it the day after showers. Trying to perforate dry soil is going to be painful. Some areas will be more compacted than others are, make multiple passes over these areas until they are satisfactorily loose. Others will not be affected at all. Make a single pass or not at all.

Perforation can be done manually by hand with some forks or even a pair of heels. On the other hand, the use of equipment is more efficient. One may rent or hire a service. It would also be a good idea to join forces with a good neighbor and buy a single equipment. Work out a schedule for use. Before beginning, one should define the perimeters. Start working along these perimeters. Ensure to steer clear of the sprinklers. The chance of damage is very slim but why risk it? This should not take too long unless the yard is too large or compaction is very severe.

Spike equipment is one of the two basic types. This will only punch holes into the soil. It will not remove any bit of soil from said holes. This is suitable for light soil and mild compact situations. The plug is the second type of equipment. It punches a hole then moves out with a bit of soil. Clay soil would better benefit from this. The spike would only cause a different kind of compaction especially since it will be wet.

The width of the equipment is also a major concern. If it is narrow then that means it will make many passes before the ground is fully covered. It is estimated that a single additional foot to the width covers about 33% more ground. The wider the equipment the fewer passes one can make. One will save a lot of time on this.

For the large grounds, a service is hired and it should, therefore, take care of this service. However, if this is not the case, a hand pushed equipment will not work. One will get too tired and some areas will be insufficiently poked. A tractor pulled equipment is better. This comes is a wide range of widths too. The hand pushed one will work better n smaller yards.

This is an asset but unless one is planning to hire it out at some point, there is no need to spend more than enough. As long as it leaves the soil properly poked, it should serve its purpose. Use this as the last consideration to break between tying options.




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