Hi Heidi,

They're not worthless, but only slightly less so. )

Your best bet is to rent a mechanical core aerator in which plugs of soil
are removed and deposited on the soil surface. Tines that do not do that can
cause more harm than good as they further compact the soil around the tine
as it plunges into the soil. Sure, you're created a 'hole', hwoever the soil
around the hole has been compacted in order to creat that space, Not good,
imho.

I usually rent the machine, and then do my neighbor's lawns as well, thereby
mitigating the cost of the rental somewhat.

Dave

"Heidi" wrote in message
om...
Speaking of aerating lawns (dog safe fertilizer) has anyone ever tried
those strap on aerating shoes? I have been intimidated to try them as
1) my feet are a size 6.5 and I just don't see any of the "one size fits
most" models fitting my tiny feet and 2) last year the yard was so hard
after the drought I thought if I was able to puncture the ground I would
never get past the first step.

My questions: has anyone tried them? Would anyone recommend using
them? And if so, has anyone seen a model that comes in various sizes?
If not the shoes do most folks pay a company to come out and aerate the
lawn, or rent the machine from a home improvement type store, etc...?

Thanks in advance for you advice!
Heidi
Raleigh, NC