Some folks would follow up a core aeration with a compost treatment. The idea is that the compost settles into the holes and conditions the soil resulting is less compacted soil later on.

You might ask your question in the lawn care forum as well for more specific suggestions.

In short I don't see that core aeration necessarily lends itself well to being frugal. It costs a little bit of cash to get the best results.

You are right! "Those plastic straps are flimsy, don't stay fastened, and come no where near securing a normal foot!So, the platform slides around leaving one stuck in the grass, but on your ankle. They can be tremendously hazardous, also. I got stuck in the ground and slid out of the shoe onto my feet and got a badly sprained toe.So be careful." I bought a pair of those aerator shoes 10 yrs ago, and they are useless, a complete waste of money.

Thanks for the tip about the Hound Dog Turf Aerator, Mandy and Yeow - we just had a new Lowe's open up, and I'll be sure to check it out.

Read Review of Hound Dog Turf Hound
Review Summary About the Author

Let Me Put In a Plug~For Removing Those Plugs!
May 16 '00 (Updated May 16 '00)

Author's Product Rating

Ease of Use:
Durability:
Grip Comfort:
Style:

Pros
Sturdy, rust proof plug removers

Cons
none

Full Review

The Turf Houndog Plug Remover, removes 4 inch plugs of grass and dirt from your lawn easily and effectively. Many people neglect this part of lawn care or are unaware of its benefits!

For those of you who do not know why you would want to remove plugs of dirt from your lawn, here is the reason: After a long winter of rain and cold weather lawn grasses need to get air to their roots. This makes room for grass roots to grow thicker and healthier. It also makes it easier for water, air and fertilizer to reach the roots. This process loosens soil that gets compacted from constant impact and it also helps break down thatch. Aerating by removing plugs of soil and grass is a must for a lawn to look great all summer and fall.

The Hound Dog Plug Remover is easy to use. It has a a u-shaped handle which makes it easy on the hands. There is a wide stepping area so that you can use your body weight to push the 4 plugging tubes into the ground. The plug removers are 4 inches long and sharp on the ends. They are made of rust proof steel. This is important because if any rust develops on the plug removers it creates a drag that makes it much more difficult to push into the earth and then pull out again.

I weigh only 115 pounds and I was able to do half of our 500 square foot yard at a time. I usually need a rest and then can do the rest of the lawn. It makes it much easier if you aerate your yard right after a big spring rain or water your yard deeply. A plus about this aerator is that it is made of a durable lightweight metal, because it would get really difficult pulling the aerator out of the ground if it were heavy. I lift weights at a gym and I use this as part of my daily work out twice a year.

I bought my Hound Dog Aerator at Home Depot, but I have seen them at Ace Hardware and True Value. It cost me around 25.00 dollars. This lawn tool is only used twice a year so it might be a tool you can share with a neighbor or family that lives nearby.

Aerating your lawn is the secret to having golf course beautiful lawns. Make your neighbors envious, aerate your lawn with the Hound Dog! Or share your aerator with them and make your street the greenest!

Perhaps, rhizo, but I have had success, in small areas of heavy foot traffic, by poking long metal cooking skewers into the soil. They go down very deep, and though no plugs of soil are removed, I guess the hole goes way deeper than the grass roots, because it always works...after a few waterings or rainstorms, the grass comes back nicely.

However, this would be back-breaking work for larger areas. I mainly use it for the grass immediately adjacent to steps, where heavy foot traffic compacts the soil.

For smaller yards like mine, renting or purchasing isn't really cost-effective.

Hope this helps and happy lawn smithing.