Core Aerators

Coring-type aerators take a little muscle to use, if the ground is especially compacted. However, if the gardener or groundsperson isn't a lightweight, body weight applied to the aerator will push the prongs into the ground. If the earth still won't budge, soaking the ground first will help get things started.

Before choosing a core aerator, try to determine the height of the handle, either from the garden supplies store or the catalog description. If it's not the right size for the user, it will tend to strain the back or the arms and wrists. The idea is for body weight to do the work, since most aerators are stainless steel and will last longer than the person using them.

There's also a water injected lawn aerator where a hose is attached, and the water is turned on. Only then does the user step on the aerator to press the tines into the ground. The aerator is left in the soil until water bubbles freely to the surface. No matter which type of core aerator you use, leather, landscaping gloves are recommended. For prolonged heavy-duty use, one type has a padded gel insert in the palms.

Core aerators are available with three prongs or five prongs. Both sizes are intended for selective use only, in tight corners or on small target areas of golf courses. If an entire lawn needs to be aerated, more suitable aerating tools are available. These include the type with rotating spikes that require a different kind of effort from the human machine.