Lawn aerators and scarifiers

Aeration is the formation of holes in the lawn. This process helps to open air access to the roots, saturate them with oxygen and water. As a result, the lawn looks better, the grass grows more actively. Aeration is used on lawns with different types of grass. It is easy to understand that aeration should be carried out – water begins to stagnate on the lawn after watering or rain. If you have a lot of old last year’s grass in your lawn, clay or hard soil – aeration is a must! In any case, experts advise to carry out this process of lawn care in the spring, early May, and autumn, before preparing for winter..

Scarification is the loosening of the soil under the lawn with the simultaneous removal of debris. Scarification is also carried out twice a year – before the winter season and in spring. In general, both of these processes are similar, but scarification is more difficult, this is not just a puncture of the soil under the grass of the lawn, you need full loosening and cleaning of all that is superfluous – leaves, dry grass, debris.

The simplest lawn aeration tool, which is definitely in every household, is a conventional pitchfork. They recommend to pierce the soil to a depth of 7 to 13 cm, that is, approximately half the depth of the tool. Frequent holes are not needed; indents of 10-15 cm between rows should be made. There are forks with a comfortable plastic handle, stainless steel handle and boron steel teeth about 800 rubles.

The second aeration tool is special spiked sandals. They are simply put on comfortable shoes for work and walk on the lawn, piercing the soil. The sandals have 15–20 spikes each, the length of which is 3–5 cm. Steps are taken 20–30 cm each, often. Such sandals for lawn aeration cost about 400-500 rubles.

The third option is a mechanical aerator. It is a roller with spikes, which is used to roll the lawn, making holes in the soil. The price of such a skating rink for aeration can be 2-4 thousand rubles.

The simplest lawn scarification tool is a rake. It is more convenient to work with a special rake for lawn care. They gently loosen the soil and remove all debris. Such a rake costs about 700-1500 rubles, depending on the material, manufacturer and size.

It is clear that with such simple mechanical tools it will be easy to process only a small area. On a spacious lawn, wielding a rake or pitchfork, walking in sandals with thorns is already tiresome. Manual labor in the fresh air is, of course, useful, but special electric and gasoline aerators and scarifiers were created for owners of large lawns.

What you should pay attention to when choosing aerators and scarifiers:

• What the car body is made of. Plastic is lighter, such devices are cheaper, but metal is much stronger and more durable;
• Engine power. The larger your lawn, the more powerful you need a tool for caring for it;
• The presence of a container for collecting grass is a big plus;
• Tool working surface width. It depends on what area the device can process in one go;
• Types of knives. The aerators have long metal spokes that pierce the soil. Scarifiers have special knives, like cutters that remove weeds, last year’s grass and loosening the soil.

Electric or gasoline engine is up to you to decide. The electric will need a power source, a long cord, to work across the entire lawn area. Or a battery that needs to be recharged in time to work without carrying. Gasoline tools are more mobile, convenient for working over a large area.

Experts call universal machines – aerators-scarifiers with a set of nozzles – the best option for lawn care. Such devices perform several functions at once: they remove the remnants of dry, withered grass, loosen the soil, collect the stems in a special container, make cuts (scarification) or punctures (aeration) in the soil.

The second name of the scarifier is verticutter. Combined lawn aeration and scarification devices can work with all types of soil, they are powerful, multifunctional, easy to use. However, there is a disadvantage – a rather high price. If a simple electric aerator can be bought for 5-6 thousand rubles, then a universal scarifier-scarifier-aerator-crevice lawn mower with attachments and replaceable cartridges can cost up to 250 thousand rubles.

We state: aeration and scarification of lawns are necessary at least twice a year so that your turf looks well-groomed, beautiful, and fresh. You can choose a mechanical tool, the simplest one – a rake for scarification and a pitchfork for aeration – if your lawn itself is not too large. Or you have a lot of free time and have a desire to work hard on the site.

Otherwise, it is advisable to purchase an electric or gasoline tool, preferably a universal, two-in-one, to take care of your lawn yourself. Or, twice a year, hire professionals with a special garden tool, whose services are not so expensive – from 8-10 rubles for scarification of a square meter of lawn.