All You Need to Know About Hollow Tine Aerator
Aeration is an important component of lawn maintenance, as it keeps the soil healthy despite the piling up of thatch, fungi infestation and compacting of the soil over time. Aeration breaks up the soil so that there is more space for the roots to grow, and so that the soil is coarse enough for water, nutrients and air to circulate underneath. One of the best ways to aerate the soil is by using a hollow tine aerator. This requires a relatively low investment but can efficiently keep the soil healthy and your lawn fresh and green.
Many experts prefer the hollow tine aerator to other aeration tools, including those lawnmower attachments fitted with spikes. If you look at how these aerators work, you will know that those with spikes only break up the soil. In contrast, hollow tine aerators work by spooning out soil particles for more efficient aeration.
These types of aerators likewise come in different models. The most basic of these types are the manual and power models. Both of these models work in the same way. The only difference is that the manual type requires more labor and longer time and is only ideal if you want to aerate a small portion of your lawn. In contrast, the power type requires little effort and allows you to finish the task in a shorter time. This doesn’t mean though that the power type is the better choice at all times. In cases where your lawn has fairy rings, you will need better precision than speed. As such, the manual type could help you target the areas that you need to aerate.
Do you have to buy your own aerator? Typically, the frequency of aeration that lawns require is only once a year. As such, there is really no urgent need to buy your own aerator. You can simply rent one from your local garden or home improvement store. The cost of renting one can be anywhere from $70 to $100 per day.
One of the best things about hollow tine aerators—especially the power type—is that they are easy to operate. They work just like lawnmowers, in fact. When you push the machine across the lawn, the cylinder begins to rotate, and the spoons attached to it scoop out soil as you move across. The spoons typically go up to a depth of three to four inches into the soil. While they may be easy to operate, they can however be difficult to transport and push around because of their weight.
Because of this, it pays to know the type of preparation that you will have to make before you aerate. The first thing that you need to consider is to pick the right timing when the grass is just about to grow. Also, water the lawn thoroughly the night before you aerate to break up the soil and make it easy for the spoons to dig into it. This is especially important when you are aerating during the summer and the soil is dry or clayey.
After you have done this, it will be easy to work your hollow tine aerator and keep your lawn lush and green all year round.
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Have Tools. Will Reseed Lawn!
Unfortunately, tools aren’t all you need to reseed lawn. You also need to have the right conditions, and the perfect strategies for dealing with adverse conditions. To ensure your success—and to help you achieve a bright and revitalized lawn—here are some of the things that you need to be prepared to deal with as you go through your lawn-reseeding project.
Choosing the Seeds
If you haven’t decided on which seeds to plant yet, we recommend going to the local nursery and consulting with the staff there. They are bound to be more familiar with the types of seeds that grow best in your climate, and can give you some recommendations on which seeds to plant during the season based on the level of shade and the intensity of tolerance to drought.
Dealing with Weeds
If your lawn has been neglected for a long time, it has probably already transformed itself into a breeding ground for weeds. You will need to get rid of these weeds before you start planting. You can do this either by manually digging and pulling out the weeds, or by applying herbicide on the area. In case the entire area has been overrun by weeds, it might require the application of herbicide on the entire area.
Remember, however, than you need to wait until the herbicide have dissipated before seeding. Otherwise, it will also kill off the grass seeds.
Insufficient Water
You need enough water to keep the seeds moist as they germinate. Lack of water can cause the grass seeds to die. You will need to research on how much water you need to reseed lawn based on the type of climate and soil that you have.
Uneven Ground
The problem with uneven ground is that it causes water to collect as puddles in lower places. If this happens, you will need to regrade either the lower portions or the entire lawn to level off your lawn. You can “regrade” your lawn by working the higher portions with a shovel to level them, or applying topsoil on the lower areas to raise them. It is important to do this before making any other preparations for reseeding.
Thatch a Problem
Thatch is those piles of grass cuttings and remnants of the old grass and weeds that collect below the grass blades. The problem with thatch is that they breed fungus and serve as a habitat for pests and bugs. You will need to remove thatch if it gets to a thickness of at least ½ inch. Otherwise, the seeds that you will plant and the fertilizer that you will apply won’t reach the soil. To remove thatch, you can either use a rake or a dethatching machine. There are also dethatching attachments that you can fit into your lawnmower.
Insects Alert
You will know that insects are damaging your lawn if they show up on the rims of the brown patches feeding on fresh grass. Another indication is when there are more birds than normal flying over your lawn. You will need an expert’s help to deal with the insect problem, so we recommend getting a sample, and taking this in a jar to your local nursery.
These are just some of the conditions that can make your efforts to reseed lawn more challenging. Now that you know how to deal with them, you are halfway there.
Step-by-Step Lawn Reseeding Guide
So the summer heat got the better of your lawn. Now there’s not much green patch remaining. Instead, all you see is dirt and brown from end to end. It’s time for lawn reseeding. Reseeding your lawn is a great way to revive your lawn’s majestic green color without having to spend too much. However, this process takes quite a while and a whole lot of patience before you start seeing the results.
There are a few preliminaries that have to be set up before you start the process. First, you need to make sure that your timing is right. The best time to do lawn reseeding is during fall or spring. You want the soil to be warm for the seeds to germinate faster. It is also possible to reseed during the summer but you will have to keep the grass moist.
Assuming you have already decided on what seed to grow, the first thing you need to do is to work the ground. Pull up the weeds off the ground or apply herbicide according to package instructions. If the ground is covered with too much weed, you might have to eliminate the entire lawn before you start. Otherwise, after getting rid of the weeds, you can move on to mowing the grass growth to a height of ¾ inches to one inch to make way for the seed and the fertilizer that you will later apply. Also remember to pull the dead grass using an iron rake.
Now that the ground is ready, you can start applying fertilizer and compost. If you are reseeding the entire lawn, however, it might be better to put this off for later when the grass is starting to germinate. In case there are existing grass growths that you need to fertilize, make sure to apply light fertilizer evenly. Composting also enriches the ground, so make sure to have enough compost to cover the entire lawn with a ½-inch layer.
After fertilizing and composting comes planting. This step depends on whether you need to deal with only a few brown spots or you need to revitalize the entire lawn. Pour the seeds into the spreader, making sure to set the spreader opening correctly according to the seed size. You can use a broadcast spreader or a drop spreader, depending on the area that you need to seed. 
Broadcast spreaders spread seeds evenly over a wide area, while drop spreaders are best for borders where you do not want grass to grow in. If you need to work the entire lawn, it is best to do this in a grid fashion so the seeds are spread evenly and no area is left uncovered. If you need to work the brown spots, seed only where necessary.
After seeding, you need to cover the seeded area with straw to keep the seeds protected when they germinate. Don’t smother the area with straw, however. Keep the layer of straw light, making sure that you can still see the soil through it. Once the seeds begin to germinate up to a height of three inches, you can now mow the straw into the growing grass. You also need to keep the seed moist while germinating by watering it for up to thrice a day.
Finally, let three to four weeks pass before applying fertilizer as the last step in your lawn reseeding project. By this time, the seeds will have germinated to about a height of one inch.