Our 'lawn' needs serious attention. I scarified it last autumn, and,
just as previously about three years ago, the moss is significantly
worse this spring (and it's been a dry winter!). The large number of
mossy patches suggest aerating the soil for a start would do no harm.

I fancy getting one of those three-pronged spring-loaded corer things
that removes plugs of soil. I certainly don't fancy stamping all over
the lawn wearing crampons, and I doubt that those little spiky roller
jobs would penetrate tissue paper, let alone our lawn. In the past
I've used a fork, driving it in and wiggling it, but the argument
against that method is that it compacts the soil in the immediate
vicinity of the hole. No, I want one of those corer thingies!

But I have some questions. Are the springs on them really strong
enough to expel the plug of soil removed from the lawn (I assume
that's what they're supposed to do)? Has anyone got one that they're
happy with? If so, who made it and do they know an on-line source?

(If I took the rubber foot of the bottom of a pogo-stick, would it
work as an aerator? The mind boggles!)


--
Chris

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net