[japagow]

I have taken on the problem of the lawn grass which is tired muddy and sad. I understand that aerating the grass. i.e. making holes in it plus scarifying (?) the grass will start the process of improving it.

Does anyone have any ideas or reccomendations for an aerator  that's better than a garden fork but cheaper than a mantis with a scarifier on it. The key words here are CHEAP and VALUE FOR MONEY.

many thanks.

[AndyRVTR]

Whats wrong with using the garden fork??

[New shoot]

I've given up on my lawn these days (if you have chickens you'll understand  ), but there are 2 cheap options.

First is a hollow tine aerator which should cost you around the £15-£20 mark if you shop around.  They are like a garden fork but with a larger rectangular metal frame handle and the hollow tines mean the plugs of earth are removed, rather than squishing holes into the lawn which is what the fork does.  It's a bit tedious on a large lawn as you only cover slightly more ground each press than a fork.

The second is an aerator you push along like a push mower with a revolving barrel of spikes.  You should be able to get a reasonable quality one for around £30 - £40.  It's quicker but you don't make such deep holes.

Either way, you need to brush sand into the holes and it does over time improve the drainage 

[Gwiz]

There's a few products around to aerate the lawn as already mentioned. One of the quirkiest is the spiked sandal that is fixed to the bottom of your shoe. As you walk over the lawn, they penetrate to a depth of about 3".
The draw backs are that you will rapidly find yourself walking like a fully paid up member of the department of funny walks (Monty python) as you try to get maximum penetration and at the same time avoiding stabbing yourself in the calf muscles. They do work (sort of) if used regularly.
The best home use product that I've ever seen is as New Shoot stated. There is a hollow tine aerator "Fork" that you go over the garden with. It takes out a core of soil leaving a hole in the lawn. You SHOULD brush sand into the holes to stop them closing up and to improve drainage. You might also look to hire a small aerator. I've not seen too many around lately which are small enough to get into the average back garden. There used to be one made by a company called Sissis. They are a company specialising in the manufacture of specialist ground care products, and used to make a motorised machine with a 20" wide, spring loaded, spiked drum that you "drove over the lawn"
Sadly I've not seen one of these recently. I expect that 'elf and safety has killed them off (first hand experience tells me how easy it was to injure yourself with it)
There are several "slitter" type of machines around and about, they tend to do the same type of job as scarifying, ripping out Moss and Thatch. The idea is that they also cut the roots of the Grass which, if carried out at the right time of year, will also encourage fresh root growth.

[japagow]

Whats wrong with using the garden fork??
[/quote.]
Time and motion. If a garden fork was the right thing to do I'd be using nail scissors to cut the grass.

[Trillium]

Those spiky shoes might look funny, but they'll work. Especially if you're at all handy and can craft a pair for yourself.

I'd do a plywood 'sole' with some sort of straps, and drive nails through from the 'top' right through. You'd be standing on the nail heads and the spike bits are below penetrating the soil, much like the aerating shoes in this ad:

http://www.greenkey-garden.co.uk/Pages/lawn-care.html

[Sideshoot]

If your lawn isnt too big the hollow tined aerator is the way to go, i think yeoman do one for £15. Works a treat and once you get a rythym(spl?) going its done in no time, i used a leaf rake to brush all the plugs into the border for hoeing in.

Incidentally, the problem with using a fork is that as you push it in and wiggle it to get your holes, your actually compressing the soil around the holes.

I think grass is one of the hardest things to grow if you want a top lawn.

[japagow]

Thanks to everyone for replies. I like the aerator soles idea but will look around for the yeoman product.

My aim is something close to Lords or Wembley with the neat lines and the criss cross tartan effect.


Who am I kidding?