Aerating the lawn

Has anyone else got images of Petra stuck to the lawn unable to move as the spikes have sunk in?

Just me then?

<gets coat>

I use a fork and trade with my daughter we do our gardens together starting at opposite ends

We also use Green Thumb and agree about worth the cost. Our lawns look so good. As they are a franchise they operate country wide.

Our firm is called Green Sleeves!

I use a firm called Green Thumb. Worth every penny, they come and treat the lawn 4/5 times a year. I decided last year to do it myself to save money, but made such a dog's dinner of it that I got them back again and the difference is amazing.

I think you must be young and fit to start with, gordino and have no problems with back, hips, knees, shoulders . . . .

Why not hire a mechanical aerator from a hire shop?

Bought some of those shoes. Himself was very enthusiastic until he tried to use them. Maybe ok on light soil. On clay he just sort of got stuck and rocked. . They went to the tip.

hi I just use a fork, it keeps me fit as well lol.

One has a man who does such things.

I watched that sprite!
I don't think his wife was particularly impressed, in fact she looked pretty p.......d off about it!
Definitely OCD to the nth degree DH was gobsmacked!!

I scarified and then aerated by wiggling a fork into the ground. I then scattered some grit and soil mix on top and after a few weeks scattered some lawn seed. The lawn is better but needs more treatment. In the non stop rain here in Devon it's a constant battle against moss, which needs tackling every year. Have just watched Gardeners' World which featured a man totally OCD about his lawn. Beware the trap of constant striving for perfection!

That was the first attempt (he'd been watching Gardener's World) in the 38 years we've been married, and personally I think it's a waste of time time on our lawns.
I imagine petra using those spiking shoes would be jolly hard work and not easy.

I guess it depends on how much work you are willing to put in and just how 'perfect' a lawn you'd like. I've met people who won't let anyone walk on their lawns!

Loopylou. That sounds good for me. I keep reading about aerating and thought it's something I should do.

Having last year watched DH attempts at aerating the lawn I don't think we'll bother! He nearly expired after 20 minutes and we couldn't see any difference at all. Watching him jumping on the garden fork was a H&S issue to put it mildly!

We've just used 'feed and weed with moss killer' this year and it's looking the best ever.

The spikes are still only about 2" long. Lawns need to be aerated to at least 4".

I was wondering about the walking bit. I think I'll get a roller.

I think how effective they would be would depend on what the soil under the lawn is like. If its rock hard and dry you would not stand a chance.

Otherwise I think you would have to lift each leg straight up off the ground at 90degs and that is not how we walk. We roll back to front on our feet rather than pulling vertically off the ground.

If anyone knows how well they work please let us know.

I don't think the spikes on those shoes are anywhere near long enough to do any good, in fact they can make the problem of compacted soil even worse!

Fork in autumn and then bung on lawn sand and feed.