August 17, 2023, 1:15 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Not only people and animals need air, but also the lawn in the home garden. Professionals use a tool called an aeration fork for this purpose. What is it all about?
A lush green lawn with healthy, dense, and even growth–that’s the dream of many lawn enthusiasts. However, with improper care and during dry summer months, even a rarely trodden lawn can quickly wither. In addition to scarifying, regular aeration is important. This can be achieved with an aerator specifically designed for aeration–also known as an aeration fork. This specialized tool is particularly well-suited for somewhat larger lawn areas.
How does an aeration fork work for the lawn?
“The tines are placed on the ground and driven into the root horizon with the foot,” explains Dr. Harald Nonn from the German Lawn Society upon request from myHOMEBOOK. “The soil core in the hollow tine is pushed upward after the second insertion and can then be removed from the lawn area using a broom and shovel.” To avoid compacting the holes and soil ejection again, you work row by row at a distance of about ten centimeters from back to front.
More on this: Lawn aeration–why it’s important and how to do it right
Can you do something wrong?
“Aerating the soil leaves holes from which water in the soil can evaporate more quickly,” explains lawn expert Dr. Nonn. “During dry conditions, this can also lead to quicker drought damage.” Too many holes can also lead to unevenness if the soil material settles differently in the holes. “About 100 holes per square meter are optimal,” recommends the expert.
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When should you aerate?
Dr. Nonn recommends aerating the soil during the times of strongest root growth. These are in early spring at the beginning of the growing season (March/April) and in early fall (late September to late October).
How do I know it’s necessary?
For heavily used lawns or when rainwater only drains slowly, using an aeration fork can be worthwhile. The expert advises filling the aeration holes with sand or sandy soil material. “This way, the aeration and water drainage effects last longer,” explains Dr. Nonn.
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What are the alternatives?
For small, immediate use in the garden, a regular digging fork may suffice. With the tines, you poke holes in the ground at regular intervals and shake the holes free. Over time, however, this can become quite laborious. Additionally, the soil at the edges of the holes is compacted and compressed.
In addition to manually operated aerators, motorized aerators are also available on the market. Similar to the fork-like devices, the soil is extracted using hollow tines. However, these are located on a motor-driven, rotating roller.
Such electric aerators are well-suited for use on large lawn areas; on golf courses, for example, they are part of the standard repertoire of garden tools. Motorized aerators can also be rented from well-stocked hardware stores or specialty retailers.
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What does an aerator cost?
Simple models are available online starting at around 40 euros (as of August 2023). However, these aeration forks are usually equipped with only a few hollow tines. Aerating larger areas quickly becomes laborious. Those who invest a bit more save on labor. An aerator with multiple tines costs from 150 euros.