What Type Of Equipment Is Used For Lawn Aeration In Austin, TX?
What is Aeration?
Aeration is the process of creating healthy spacing in compacted soil to improve its metabolic activity so it grows in good health. In order to enable nutrients, water, and air to reach the roots of the grass, lawn aeration entails creating tiny holes in the soil.
If your Austin soil has compaction problems, aeration is the way out. There are different lawn aeration equipments that can be used for aeration of the soil. In this post, we have discussed the different types of equipment that can be used for soil aeration. If you do lawn mowing in Austin, aeration is a must.
Each type of aeration equipment has advantages and disadvantages which we have discussed in this post. From lawn mowing service costs, to lawn maintenance costs, knowing what it will cost you to keep your lawn yard in good shape is important to the long term health of your lawn.
When choosing an aerator, consider the size of your lawn, the type of soil you have, and your budget. Plug aerators are the best lawn aerators, but they are also the most expensive.
Spike aerators are less effective, but they are more affordable. Rolling aerators are a good option for large lawns, while liquid aerators are a good option for lawns with hard, compacted soil.
In this post, we have discussed the different types of aeration plus lawn maintenance cost for your lawn in Austin.
Types of Aerator and their Basic Features and Cost
Plug Aerators:
Plug aerators use hollow tines to remove small portions of soil in the form of plugs from the lawn when deployed. This procedure enables nutrients, water, and air to get to the grass’s roots. Plug aerators are one of the best aerator types to use for aeration purposes.
Plug aerators are also known as Core aerators because of the plug of soil or core removed when it is used. Below are 3 main types of Plug Aerators to consider when buying lawn aeration equipments:
Manual Plug Aerators
Manual Plug Aerators are handheld and best suited for small lawns. Typical cost is around $25 -$80 range. You can also choose to rent rather than buy one.
Gas-powered Plug Aerators
This type of aerator looks like a push-mower and works with the same principle with the only difference being the aerator tool it comes with. This Plug aerator type is best suited for medium to large lawn yards. Pricing is within the $1500 to $7000 range which means proper planning and budgeting are needed to acquire one. Renting might be a better option and can cost $75 to $100 for a full day’s usage.
Tow Plug Aerators
Tow Plug Aerators are suited for large lawn yards. This type of aerator is often paired to a mechanized vehicle like a tractor when in use. Average cost is pegged between $50 and $400. They’re mostly attachable pieces that work with a tractor to aerate large expanses of soil.
Advantages of Plug Aerators
- More effective than other aerator types
- Environmentally friendly
- Reduces effect of thatch
- Effective on large lawns
Disadvantages of Plug Aerators
- Expensive to purchase
- Requires high lawn mowing costs to keep in good shape
- Can leave the lawn visually unappealing
- Can create spaces for invasive weeds to infiltrate the lawn
Spike Aerators:
Spike aerators, like the name suggests, use solid tines to poke holes in the soil. By their functionality, the spikes puncture holes in the soil, breaking it up and improving aeration. While they are less effective than plug aerators, they are still a good option for small lawns. Rakes can also be used as an improvised form of spike aerators. Consult lawn mowing in Austin for proper counsel if you have concerns.
Spike Aerators are one of the best lawn aerators after Plug Aerators.
Typically, types of Spike Aerators include:
Rakes and Pitchforks
Using rakes and pitchforks to aerate the soil is simple, cheap and can be effective when done well on small lawns. If lawn maintenance cost is a challenge, using any of these tools can come in handy. Rakes and pitchforks will cost anywhere between $25 and $150. This method of aeration is not recommended for large lawns.
Aeration Shoes
Aeration shoes have spikes that enable aeration when used on a soil surface. This aeration tool is the cheapest option when it comes to getting spike aerators. It’s not recommended for medium to large lawn yards. Average cost is pegged at $10 – $50 for one.
Push Spike Aerators
Push Spike Aerators look like push mowers and are best suited for medium-sized lawns. Average cost of push spike aerators is between $50 and $150. Using this type of aerator is time-consuming and effort-intensive. Manpower is needed to get the best out of it.
Tow Spike Aerators
As the name implies, tow aerators involve using a tractor to push the spike feature around the lawn. Large lawns are best suited for this type of aerator. Price range can be pegged between $75 and $1250. If you have a large lawn, your lawn maintenance costs will likely be above average so it’s important to consider your options.
Advantages of Plug Aerators
- Less costly than Plug aerators
- Easier to use
- Best for small lawns
- Fast deployment
Disadvantages of Plug Aerators
- Not as effective as Plug Aerators
- Can worse compaction
- Time-consuming
- Physically more draining
- Not best suited for large areas
Rolling Aerators:
Rolling aerators use a drum or cylinder with spikes or blades to aerate the soil. They are typically pulled behind a lawn tractor or ATV. This type of aerator is a good option for large lawns where a great deal of distance has to be covered. It’s not as cheap as the first two options, and requires more lawn maintenance cost to keep it in good shape.
Liquid Aerators:
Liquid aerators use a liquid solution to break up compacted soil. They are a good option for lawns with hard, compacted soil. Hard soils that have been compacted for a long time are best dealt with liquid aerators. However, a word of caution, liquid aerators must be deployed by professionals who have experience in applying this type of service!
What Are Some Benefits of Lawn Aeration?
Some lawn owners often wonder why their soils need aeration. If you are in this school of thought, then these benefits below are what must be considered when it comes to aerating the soil. Lawn aeration is a key lawn care process that can help keep your lawn healthy and beautiful. While considering lawn mowing service costs, consider the benefits of aeration too!
Here are some of the benefits of lawn aeration:
Stops Soil Compaction:
Soil can become compacted over time, which can make it hard for air, water, and nutrients to reach your grass roots. Lawn aeration helps stop soil compaction, which can improve your lawn’s performance and health.
Lessen Thatch Buildup:
Thatch when it builds up can harm your grass. Thatch is a layer of dead grass and other organic material that piles up on the lawn surface stifling growth. Too much thatch can stop water and nutrients from getting to the roots of your grass. Lawn aeration helps reduce the buildup of thatch, which can improve the lawn health.
Facilitates Nutrient Absorption:
Lawn aeration helps improve the absorption of nutrients by your lawn. When nutrients can diffuse farther into the root zone, they become available to the grass for its metabolic activities. This process can lead to a healthier and healthier lawn.
Improves Root Growth:
Lawn aeration triggers root growth, which can help your grass develop a solid and more developed root system. This can help your lawn better survive the effects of drought and other natural stresses.
Enhances Water Infiltration:
Lawn aeration can help improve water infiltration, which can lessen runoff and enhance the overall health of your lawn for the future.
Final Words
Aerating your lawn is necessary for its long term growth. Knowing the type of lawn aeration equipment to use is important for best results.
For all your lawn mowing in Austin, contact us at GOMOW Lawn Care Service for a professional grass cutting experience.
We offer a FREE QUOTE for your next lawn mowing need!
Contact us here to get started – https://gomow.com/service-areas/austin/.
