The scarifier function works very effectively as well, successfully pulling moss and thatch out of the grass. It has a 45 L collection bag which is a good size for larger spaces. Whilst it collects some of the debris, it’s often necessary to go over the lawn with a rake afterwards (as is the case with many electric scarifiers). The metal prongs that do the digging could maybe be a little longer but as they are they do what they’re supposed to if you remember to wet the soil first. It’s worth noting that this aerator isn’t ‘hollow-tined’. The 8 cm spikes don’t remove any earth, so the ground isn’t any less compact. However, it’s still very effective. The spikes are 6 mm wide and create holes that allow air, water and nutrients to get deeper into the soil. This type of aerator has an additional benefit over hollow tine models – there’s no need to remove plugs of soil from the tines after use. Instead, simply insert the spikes into the soil and remove.

Because the spikes on the soles of these seemingly ingenious shoes are solid instead of hollow, they more often push the soil sideways or downwards when they’re in the ground, which compacts the ground even more. This is a 2-in-1 aerator and scarifier and comes with both a 48 claw aerator roller, and a 20 blade, stainless steel spike drum for scarifying. Both are ball bearings mounted for smooth operation and longevity. When it comes to the frequency with which you should be aerating your lawn, that all depends on the grass itself. Newer lawns need more aeration because their root systems are less than mature, a process which is boosted by regular aeration. If you have a new non-established lawn, it’s prudent to aerate twice a year. Always be sure there are no imminent temperature drops on their way, as a lawn freezing over shortly after hollow tining can cause the whole patch to heave up. Best hollow tine lawn aerator: Kingfisher RC401 Pro Gold Lawn Aerator Do you know if you need an electric lawn rake before an aerator?The only downside to this aerator is that the T-handle is a little narrow so users with larger hands may find it uncomfortable. There are no grips on the handles either, so it doesn’t quite offer the same comfort as padded garden tools. Removing plugs of soil can also help with drainage in compacted ground. If the ground is too compact, water can end up sitting on top of the soil, unable to drain. Not only can this make the garden unpleasant to walk in, but it can damage the grass and soil. Removing plugs of soil will help water drain better. Using spiked lawn aerators, that pierce the ground, will allow air to reach grass roots as well as water. Grass roots will become stronger which will lead to a healthier lawn that’s better able to withstand heat and drought.

If you’ve got a large area of grass, consider an electric aerator with a working width over 36 cm. Electric aerators require less manual labour, and often have a scarifying function, providing two services in one. For medium lawns, look for an electric aerator with a working width over 30 cm. You could also use a manual rolling aerator if you don’t want the hassle of cables. The Garden Spike Roller works by perforating the ground with its steel spikes, creating small holes in the ground. This allows air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grassroots which help the roots to grow deeply and produce a lush garden lawn. Finally, there are spiked aerator shoes. These are definitely the best option for those who are looking to up their step count! They’re worn on your feet and will aerate your lawn as you walk around. They could also be worn whilst doing other jobs, like hanging out the washing. Depending on the type of aerator you’re going to choose, there are several key features to look for: Assembly isn’t overly complicated, but takes slightly longer than you might expect. This is because the collection bag needs assembling and its frame can be difficult to insert. Therefore, putting this aerator together takes around 30 minutes.The handle on the Einhell RG-SA lawn aerator is both height adjustable and foldable, so getting a comfortable working position isn’t too hard, and the folding helps to make storage much easier. Whilst not the most comfortable of shoes, they can be slipped on over gardening boots without much difficulty. They usually have adjustable straps so will fit almost any shoe size.

In this case, air circulation means allowing stale carbon dioxide to leave the soil to make room for fresh oxygen to take its place. I like the fact that Vonhaus gave this electric lawn aerator a good sized power cable at 10 metres long, but the collection bag could be larger and I found I had to empty it a little too often for my liking.Assembly takes just 15 minutes and it comes with a 28 L grass bag as well as a generous 10 m cable. The power cable is bright orange which means it is visible in the grass as well. The Vonhaus 2-in-1 aerator and scarifier is similar in many ways to the Einhell model and therefore has a lot of the same pros and cons. The thing about these electric aerators and scarifiers is that they are usually more powerful than people expect and are not refined tools designed for poking small, unnoticeable holes in the grass. Great if you’ve got the lawn size that warrants it. Anything over about 500 square metres is going to be tough with manual aerators. Your choices whether buying or hiring are: