Ditch Heavy Push Aerators: Home Depot's Alternative Solution Is Simple And Durable

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A push lawn aerator, which is a machine that pokes holes into your lawn to reduce compaction and allow better water absorption, is not the lightest machine in the world. In fact, the Honda-powered Ryan Lawnaire IV walk-behind can weigh over 300 pounds when fully loaded with weights and water. While there are a number of DIY aeration solutions that utilize common household tools, the Ames steel spike aerator from Home Depot is a simple, durable, and lightweight alternative to the bigger push aerators.

Manufactured by Ames, which says its history goes back to 1774, the spike aerator is made of a single piece of welded steel with an arched handle for leverage, and featuring four 3-inch long steel tines at the bottom. This type of manual spike aerator operates simply by stepping on the spike head pushing holes directly into the ground, whereas plug aerators remove and deposit small cores out of the soil. 

One of the biggest benefits of the Ames spike aerator is that it only weighs six pounds, making it maneuverable, portable, and easy to store. Being a hand tool means you don't spend time on engine maintenance or repair. Falling just under $30, puts it in league with some of the best aerators around for under $50. Considering the aforementioned Ryan Lawnaire IV and similar heavy push aerators cost thousands of dollars, that also becomes something worth considering. Even a manual push aerator, like the Brinley 20-inch push spike aerator, weighs 17 pounds and costs about $130 at Home Depot.

One of the downsides to any power or push lawn equipment, from riding lawn mowers to push aerators, is that they can be difficult to store. Not so with the Ames spike aerator. At 36.02 inches tall and only 8 inches wide, this aerator is a compact tool that can be easily stored alongside other hand tools like rakes and hoes. The smaller size also makes the tool easy to handle in tighter spaces like flower beds, around paving stones, or along skinny side yards.

The product currently has a 4.3 star rating out of 5 stars with over 300 reviews. Of those reviewers, 84% give this tool 4 stars or above. One reviewer wrote: "It's light weight, easy to hold, and easy to press into the lawn with my foot ... In a few minutes, I was able to thoroughly aerate a 4' x 4' patch of my lawn. I'll try and spend a few minutes each week doing a different section, and I'll eventually complete my 20x20 lawn." The median size of a grass lawn in the United States is 3,044 square feet, which translates to 55 feet by 55.34 feet, but a hand tool is still a viable option.

Some reviewers who didn't care for the product noted that they considered the spikes too short to do the job. It's also worth noting that the tines aren't replaceable, so if one bends or dulls, there aren't a lot of options. Ames does offer a lifetime warranty on this spike aerator against manufacturer defects, so it could be worth contacting the company.