A lawn that is used intensively will gradually become compacted, literally choking off the air in the grass roots. You can find out here when aerating the lawn is recommended and which devices make the work easier.

What does aerating actually mean?

There is a widespread misconception among hobby gardeners that the terms aerate and scarify refer to the same care measure. In fact, with a scarifier you comb moss and weeds from the surface of the lawn, as rotating motor rollers scratch the turf 3-5 mm deep. If, on the other hand, you aerate the lawn, use the following method of operation:

  • The devices pierce the turf up to a depth of 100 mm with ground nails or hollow spoons
  • The regular perforation at a distance of 15-20 cm breaks up compaction
  • The soil that has risen into the hollow spikes is collected and disposed of

Aerating your lawn in this way also eliminates harmful waterlogging and prevents it from forming again. In addition, more oxygen reaches the grass roots to activate growth there.

When does it make sense to aerate the lawn?

In winter, permanent wetness and frosty temperatures take their toll on the sensitive turf. Moss is spreading, weeds are pushing out and waterlogging is forming. As if that weren't enough, the summertime activities with children playing, paddling pools set up and boisterous barbecue parties also put the sod under pressure. Here you can find out when you should do particularly well with aerating the lawn:

  • Aerate the lawn after the first mowing in March/April
  • In September/October, ventilate the stressed grass area again
  • Aerate heavily frequented green areas, such as golf courses or sports fields, every 6-8 weeks between March and October

Proper aerating undoubtedly involves additional work. If you want quantitative proof of the urgency of this measure, measure the degree of compaction with a penetrometer. These devices determine the penetration resistance in bar by perforating the ground. At the same time, a color reaction provides information about the result, from green (0-15 bar) for unnecessary to yellow (15-22.5 bar) for recommended to red (22.5 bar+) for urgent.

Step-by-step guide to mechanical aeration

Aerating optimizes the oxygen supply and the drainage of water from the lawn as special spikes puncture the turf. This can be done very easily with the help of machine-driven devices that can be rented in well-stocked hardware stores and rental shops. This is how you aerate the lawn in an exemplary manner:

  • Mow the lawn 3-4 centimeters deep
  • Before venting, equip the machine with the appropriate spoons, suitable for the soil quality
  • Position the device so that you start along a lawn edge
  • Pull the lever to set the spikes in motion
  • Push the aerator forward at a reasonable speed
  • If possible, do not step on the pushed-out 'earth sausages' again so that you can collect them at the end

The speed determines whether you dig deep enough in the lawn. If the devices drive too fast, they punch too far apart. If the speed is too low, the lawn will be perforated too much.

tips

Mechanical aerators are convenient, but make a lot of noise. Prudent hobby gardeners take into account the statutory rest periods for the work related to aerating the lawn, as they are also prescribed for the operation of the lawn mower. On weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the devices can dig holes in the lawn like crazy.

How to manually aerate the lawn

In order to aerate small lawn areas, the specialist trade offers devices that can be operated manually. Devices with a stable rail on which a handle with an ergonomic handle is located are particularly practical. The conical spikes positioned at the bottom are hollow. With these spoons, the earth is pushed up with each hole and caught in a trough. That is how it goes:

  • The ground is freshly mowed, frost-free, neither muddy nor dry
  • To vent, make holes in the turf at a distance of 15 cm
  • The end in the tub is disposed of in the compost

The following rule of thumb serves as a guide to when a lawn is effectively aerated: 200 holes per square meter will adequately aerate a compacted sod. The devices should be equipped with at least 2 spikes. With each additional spoon, you aerate the lawn more intensively, but you are forced to use more force with each hole.

Devices for every budget

To regularly aerate a heavily used, large area of grass, it can be worth investing in a motorized aerator. For the lawn in the front yard, on the other hand, the purchase of manual devices is more suitable from a financial point of view. The following overview presents some common aerators to help you decide:

aerator PROFI Bauma BA-RL40 lawn aerator Billy Goat Aerator Honda AE 401 H Engine HUSQVARNA aerator TA 36 coring roller Lawn woodpecker aerator with drip tray
working width 410mm 450mm 920mm 900mm 300mm
working depth 200mm 70mm 76mm 45mm 100mm
engine power 5.5 hp 2.9kW fan muscular strength muscular strength
new price approx. 3,500 euros approx. 4,200 euros approx. 1,570 euros approx. 1,070 euros from 224 euros
special feature solid and tubular spikes hardened hollow tines for tractors from 16 hp with 189 spikes Spoons with a diameter of 16-24 mm

First scarify moss-covered grass areas - this is how it works

Diligent hobby gardeners make their work unnecessarily difficult when they aerate a moss-covered lawn. In addition, insufficient oxygen is still reaching the roots in a matted patch of grass after perforation. It therefore makes sense to scarify the green before venting. Proceed with these steps:

  • The weather will be mild and dry between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius
  • The lawn is - exceptionally - mowed as deep as possible
  • Go lengthwise and crosswise over the lawn with the scarifier in two passes
  • Sweep up and dispose of combed weeds and moss

Without further delay, you can then proceed to aerate the lawn. In the end, don't let the battered appearance put you off. With this intensive care program you have set the course for a velvety green, dense carpet of lawn. What is still missing in fine-tuning is conveyed in the following lines.

Sanden sets the perfect ending - this is how it works

Professional aerating results in a finish that is all about the holes created. By brushing in a layer of sand after the hole has been punched, the lawn area receives effective drainage. How to do it right:

  • Spread half a bucket of sand per square meter
  • Low-lime quartz sand with a grain size of 0/2 is ideally suited
  • Sweep the sand evenly with a broom

If the grass growth appears to be particularly sparse after aeration, knowledgeable hobby gardeners combine sanding with overseeding. Thanks to the fine grains of sand, the lawn seeds are distributed excellently and germinate quickly.

Topdressing - Sanding in highest perfection

English lawn artists have developed sanding after the lawn has been aerated. With the goal of a hard-wearing green with a perfect look in mind, the experts created the top dressing. The sand is enriched with organic substances such as compost, horse manure or leaf soil. The result was a mixture that not only levels out unevenness, but also improves the soil structure.

tips and tricks

During the summer, there is always a frown among home gardeners about how long to water a dry lawn. A sod sample reveals the water requirement. Simply cut out a 10 centimeter deep piece of the lawn. If only the top 3 centimeters have dried, water the lawn for 1 hour. A 5 centimeter thick dry layer requires a sprinkling time of 1.5 hours.

Category:

Garden design