Has anyone used aerator shoes for their lawn?

Question

My lawn has hard claylike soil and I want to aerate it. I searched for info and have seen differing opinions on the effectiveness of the shoes. But, I don't want to go to the expense of buying or renting a machine because I don't have that big of a yard.

Answer 1

Strap on aerator shoes are useless for the job, they just rip up the turf.

Better to buy a roller type which you push around.

The very BEST way though, is to use a garden fork, sink it into the soil as far as you can, wiggle it about making holes with the tines, then move 4-6 inches and repeat.
You can do this where there are patches of dead grass too.

It's not easy but it really works by loosening the soil and letting air and rain in.
If you can do it pre winter, rain and frost gets in and come the spring, fresh grass will be sprouting.

Answer 2

Simple answer, yes. Anyone can use aerator shoes and it is the single best thing other then water for your lawn. They sell sandals for that purpose and they work well but you have to walk around a little different then normal. I have a book called "green grass magic" by Jerry Baker and he says you should wear your aerator sandals or shoes all the time. Making holes in the lawn helps the water to get to the roots where it is needed and it also helps the lawn retain water. For your small yard, shoes or sandals are the single best thing you could do. Also water only about once or twice a week if you get no rain, but water deeply.
Lawns need about 1" of water a week. You can not make to many holes in your lawn unless you were really trying to. Good Luck.

Answer 3

don't have an answer, but another question. Where do you get these things? I want to do this to my lawn too.


Nerdly Stud
1 day ago


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I've never used them myself because I heard they were crap and/or hurt like hell. I was thinking of just getting a copper or pvc pipe (with holes cut for the dirt to come out off) and going "uncle stabby".


mopswinger
1 day ago


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Don'twon't expense of renting machine that does better/ faster. But will buy shoes with long spikes and stomp around for hours. Whats wrong with this picture?"


frog
1 day ago


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Strap on aerator shoes are useless for the job, they just rip up the turf.

Better to buy a roller type which you push around.

The very BEST way though, is to use a garden fork, sink it into the soil as far as you can, wiggle it about making holes with the tines, then move 4-6 inches and repeat.
You can do this where there are patches of dead grass too.

It's not easy but it really works by loosening the soil and letting air and rain in.
If you can do it pre winter, rain and frost gets in and come the spring, fresh grass will be sprouting.

Source(s):

Gardening experience.


Waterbearer
1 day ago


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Well I have a pair and unless you want to walk ALOT and while walking ALOT you enjoy picking your feet up 9 - 12" higher than normal , I'd suggest RENTING a walk behind aerator that does 75 - 150% better !
Those "aerating shoes " are basically good for WALKWAYS not whole yards .
Of course theyre also good for aerating your feet , if you happen to stumble and step on the other foot !

Source(s):

Experience


smbloodworth
14 hours ago


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Simple answer, yes. Anyone can use aerator shoes and it is the single best thing other then water for your lawn. They sell sandals for that purpose and they work well but you have to walk around a little different then normal. I have a book called "green grass magic" by Jerry Baker and he says you should wear your aerator sandals or shoes all the time. Making holes in the lawn helps the water to get to the roots where it is needed and it also helps the lawn retain water. For your small yard, shoes or sandals are the single best thing you could do. Also water only about once or twice a week if you get no rain, but water deeply.
Lawns need about 1" of water a week. You can not make to many holes in your lawn unless you were really trying to. Good Luck.


plantmd
12 hours ago


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I haven't used those shoes, but I have and highly recommend aerating lawns. You only have to do it once/year. Since you have clay soil, it would be very beneficial to aerate. Aeration will help reduce soil compaction, reduce mulch, help improve soil structure, etc.

The benefits aeration provides outweigh the cost of renting the machine to do the work!

Check out this site:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/turf/430-002/...

Source(s):

Doctor of Plant Medicine


dan m
9 hours ago


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buy your self a pair of golf shoes,they will aerate as you do your yard work, and they,re very comfortable .check out yard sales flea markets might find them for about nothing also if you;ll spread some lime this will help break up the clay soil

Answer 4

Well I have a pair and unless you want to walk ALOT and while walking ALOT you enjoy picking your feet up 9 - 12" higher than normal , I'd suggest RENTING a walk behind aerator that does 75 - 150% better !
Those "aerating shoes " are basically good for WALKWAYS not whole yards .
Of course theyre also good for aerating your feet , if you happen to stumble and step on the other foot !

Answer 5

I haven't used those shoes, but I have and highly recommend aerating lawns. You only have to do it once/year. Since you have clay soil, it would be very beneficial to aerate. Aeration will help reduce soil compaction, reduce mulch, help improve soil structure, etc.

The benefits aeration provides outweigh the cost of renting the machine to do the work!

Check out this site:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/turf/430-002/430-002.html

Answer 6

Natalie Eleanor Vivienne Ruby Nicholas Jasper Jack Theodore

Answer 7

buy your self a pair of golf shoes,they will aerate as you do your yard work, and they,re very comfortable .check out yard sales flea markets might find them for about nothing also if you;ll spread some lime this will help break up the clay soil

Answer 8

Don'twon't expense of renting machine that does better/ faster. But will buy shoes with long spikes and stomp around for hours. Whats wrong with this picture?"

Answer 9

I've never used them myself because I heard they were crap and/or hurt like hell. I was thinking of just getting a copper or pvc pipe (with holes cut for the dirt to come out off) and going "uncle stabby".

Answer 10

I don't have an answer, but another question. Where do you get these things? I want to do this to my lawn too.