Quick verdict
A 23 inch steel drum holding 13 gallons of water or sand with heat-treated spike tines arranged in a spiral, so one tool rolls sod and seed into contact and spikes the surface to let air and water into compacted turf. A built-in scraper bar clears the tines and the U-handle pushes or pulls. Spike aeration is lighter than core aeration and suits a lawn that needs a little help rather than a full renovation; the roller function is what you would expect from a 13 gallon drum.
Strengths
- Rolls and spike-aerates with one drum
- Thirteen gallon drum fills with water or sand for weight
- Spiral tines and scraper bar prevent clogging
- Anti-leak sealed plug
- U-handle pushes or pulls
Weaknesses
- Spike aeration is less effective than core aeration on heavy compaction
- Spikes compress soil around each hole
- Heavy full on slopes
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Two Tools in One Shed Space
A lawn roller and a spike aerator are both drums on handles, and Garvee combines them: a 23 inch steel drum that fills with 13 gallons of water or sand, fitted with heat-treated spike tines in a spiral so it rolls and punctures at once. A scraper bar keeps the tines clear and the U-handle pushes or pulls. One purchase, one corner of the shed.
This review is based on the listing specifications and on how spike roller aerators perform generally. We have not used this tool ourselves.
Rolling
Filled with water the drum presses sod and seed into the soil as any roller does. The tines mark the surface as it goes, which on new sod is fine and on a seedbed is harmless. Drain the drum for storage and before frost.
Spike Aeration
Spikes open holes that let water, air and top dressing into the root zone, and they relieve the surface sealing that makes water run off a thatchy lawn. They do not remove soil, so they compress a little around each hole, and on heavy clay with real compaction a core aerator is the honest tool. For a lawn in reasonable condition that wants a yearly freshen before feeding, spikes do a useful job, and the spiral layout with the scraper bar keeps them from clogging.
Weight
Water for rolling and light spiking; sand for driving the tines into firm turf. Roll when the soil is moist, never saturated, to avoid compacting it.
Build
Steel drum and frame, heat-treated tines and a sealed plug that does not leak on the lawn. The handle stands the roller upright. It is heavy to manoeuvre full on a slope; pull rather than push there.
Who Should Buy It
- Homeowners laying sod or seeding who also want light aeration.
- Owners of lawns in fair condition that need a yearly spike before feeding.
- Anyone short of storage for two separate drums.
Common Owner Complaints
Spikes doing little for hard clay. That is spike aeration; rent a core aerator for that lawn.
Technique Tips
Water the lawn the day before spiking so the tines penetrate and the soil does not shatter around them. Make one pass along and one across for the densest hole pattern, then spread sand or compost and brush it into the holes. Clear the scraper bar of wet soil at the end of each pass if it starts to clog. Drain the drum and store it upright after use.
Assembly and Care
Bolt the handle to the axle and tighten fully before filling. Check the tines each season and straighten or replace any that bend on stones. Oil the axle bushings once a year.
Alternatives to Consider
The VEVOR 13 gallon roller for rolling alone. A rented core aerator for compacted lawns. Spiked aerator shoes for tiny lawns.
Verdict
For rolling plus light aeration in one tool, this drum does both reasonably at a fair price. Know that spikes are maintenance, not renovation, and it earns its space.
Full specifications
Garvee 23 Inch 2-in-1 Heavy Duty Lawn Roller and Spike Aerator with 13 Gallon Drum FAQs
Spikes punch holes and let water and air in, and compress the soil slightly around each hole. Cores remove plugs and relieve compaction properly. Spikes suit light maintenance; cores suit heavy clay and serious compaction.
Fill with water, roll freshly laid sod or sown seed in two directions when the soil is moist. Drain for storage.
Water gives about 110 pounds, enough for seed and sod. Sand roughly doubles it for spiking firm turf.
Spring or autumn when soil is moist, before top dressing or feeding so the material reaches the holes.
