Aerators, plug or spike.
- Thread starter Crash277
- Start date
Creature Meadow
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
2012 L4600, Disk, Brush Hog, GB60 Garden Bedder, GSS72 Grading Scraper
I have both and no real comparison, what do you plan to do with it?
I have a 5' spike I use to cultipack my food plots and garden. Just not enough weight even filled to punch a place in the ground that does not quickly fill in or close up.
My 5' core aerator I use on my lawn and all over the farm.
The core aerator is a beast and pulls nice plugs. It has a tray that I had 300#'s to when I aerate the harder packed areas like around the garden or fence and tree lines where we drive a lot.
Where no driving takes place the weight along of it is fine. It came from Everything Attachments and the drum is filled with sand.
What you plan to do with it really makes a difference.
Not seen a pull behind that was core as you have to lift it to turn or it would bend the spoons.
The core aerator is great for adding fertilizer and seed followed by dragging to lightly cover seeds and fertilizer. If not applying either I leave the plugs on top and after couple cuttings they are gone.
Be glad to try answer any specific questions you may have.
Jay
I have a 5' spike I use to cultipack my food plots and garden. Just not enough weight even filled to punch a place in the ground that does not quickly fill in or close up.
My 5' core aerator I use on my lawn and all over the farm.
The core aerator is a beast and pulls nice plugs. It has a tray that I had 300#'s to when I aerate the harder packed areas like around the garden or fence and tree lines where we drive a lot.
Where no driving takes place the weight along of it is fine. It came from Everything Attachments and the drum is filled with sand.
What you plan to do with it really makes a difference.
Not seen a pull behind that was core as you have to lift it to turn or it would bend the spoons.
The core aerator is great for adding fertilizer and seed followed by dragging to lightly cover seeds and fertilizer. If not applying either I leave the plugs on top and after couple cuttings they are gone.
Be glad to try answer any specific questions you may have.
Jay
Thinking on spike aerators is that they can compact the soil. I have one and "compaction" is a feature in my mind. Soft dirt with mice/mole tunnels all over the place. We walk on this trail so packing it down for us is a good thing.
Plug aerators do more of a job actually aerating.
Plug aerators do more of a job actually aerating.
Creature Meadow
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
2012 L4600, Disk, Brush Hog, GB60 Garden Bedder, GSS72 Grading Scraper
Creature Meadow
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
2012 L4600, Disk, Brush Hog, GB60 Garden Bedder, GSS72 Grading Scraper
Creature Meadow
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
2012 L4600, Disk, Brush Hog, GB60 Garden Bedder, GSS72 Grading Scraper
Some quick replies! I just want to stab my yard then seed the crap out of it. Some areas will be too soft to even walk on for a while so I don’t think I need a lot of weight. For this year it would be an area about 3/4-1 acre as the rest of the yard isn’t even ready for grass yet.
I have read that those aerators can be rented. For a small area that may not require it often I would hire it done.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
I consider the 'plug' style areator to be a 'get the lawn into shape' device, the 'spiker' a 'maintenance' device.
I used a 7' plug style twice( 2000.2001) to start to get the lawn back into shape, since then just use a spiker...
I used a 7' plug style twice( 2000.2001) to start to get the lawn back into shape, since then just use a spiker...
sounds like i should just rent a plug style, and then Next year buy a spike one.
Creature Meadow
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
2012 L4600, Disk, Brush Hog, GB60 Garden Bedder, GSS72 Grading Scraper
The "plugger" I use for maintenance of my lawn and grassy areas as mentioned above.
The plugger in my opinion is for maintenance primarily by reducing soil compaction, allowing the soil to breath, allows fertilizer to penetrate when applied, allows for better drainage if needed.
We drive a lot on our grass so it becomes compacted easily, not so much in the yard close to house but everywhere else. Around the barns, garden, chicken pens, fruit orchard, etc.
I do have some areas the water will stand it seems to help there as well.
I use mine 3 to 4 times a year in those high traffic areas.
I think the spike will do fine for you to start with. Level area you plan to plant grass on. Broadcast your seed and fertilizer, drag with a piece of chain link fence if you have one then cultipack with the spike aerator. This will allow good seed to soil contact. Water is the key after planting!
A soil test is recommended as well, if the ph is off it will prevent your grass from thriving. Adding lime to correct ph takes months for the change to occur but the sooner you start the better.
If no time to test soil your local ag sales aupplier can recommend a rate you could apply for your soil type in the area.
Best of luck
Jay
The plugger in my opinion is for maintenance primarily by reducing soil compaction, allowing the soil to breath, allows fertilizer to penetrate when applied, allows for better drainage if needed.
We drive a lot on our grass so it becomes compacted easily, not so much in the yard close to house but everywhere else. Around the barns, garden, chicken pens, fruit orchard, etc.
I do have some areas the water will stand it seems to help there as well.
I use mine 3 to 4 times a year in those high traffic areas.
I think the spike will do fine for you to start with. Level area you plan to plant grass on. Broadcast your seed and fertilizer, drag with a piece of chain link fence if you have one then cultipack with the spike aerator. This will allow good seed to soil contact. Water is the key after planting!
A soil test is recommended as well, if the ph is off it will prevent your grass from thriving. Adding lime to correct ph takes months for the change to occur but the sooner you start the better.
If no time to test soil your local ag sales aupplier can recommend a rate you could apply for your soil type in the area.
Best of luck
Jay