How compacted is your soil?

If it's really bad, aerating twice a year may be a good idea. If it only takes you two hours to do it, I think I'd be inclined to do it at least once a year and maybe twice a year. I'd also probably try to follow it up by flinging some UCG around.

The previous owner layed down sod about 8 years ago and he rarely took care of the lawn. We have lived here 5 years. I have followed Scott's 4 step fertilizer program and the lawn looks great....however since it's sold I have to take care of it and maintain it more then my neighbors who have lawn that is grass seed. Our soil has some clay and rocks and it is not that bad. Is there a downside to aerating twice a year? Aftewards I fertilize by the way.

Your sod/seed comments aren't fitting together. Can I ask a few basics questions?

Where do you live?
Is your soil more like clay or more like sand?
What kind of grass do you have (Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, etc.)?
Why do you think you need to aerate?

Milwaukee, WI
more like clay
How do I find out what type of grass I have?
Previous owner never aerated who has lived here7 years. He put down sod for his lawn. I have lived here 5 yrs and I aerated last Fall.

>"however since it's sold I have to take care of it and maintain it more then my neighbors who have lawn that is grass seed"

This makes me giggle, sorry.

>"How do I find out what type of grass I have?

See link below

Here is a link that might be useful: How to Identify a Turfgrass

garyinchicago, I meant I have sod, my neighbors have grass seed. so do you have any assistance you can give me or do you just wanna giggle?

>"garyinchicago, I meant I have sod, my neighbors have grass seed. so do you have any assistance you can give me or do you just wanna giggle?"

I knew it was a typo and you meant sod before.

What makes me giggle is you thinking sod, which comes from grass seed, is different than your neighbors seeded lawn. There is no sod fairy - all grass comes from seed.

As for your question about aerating, I'm 100% against the idea. I feel leave a sleeping dog lie and do not disturb the soil, bringing up broad leaf weed seeds and unwanted dormant grass seeds.

In this picture, plumbers dug the ground by hand using only shovels .... in February .... 90 miles south of you. This area has never once been aerated since 1919 when the house was built.

I can't see the need for aerating. Unless you park trucks on the lawn, how would it get compacted? The plumbers sure didn't find my 100% chemically treated soil compacted.

{{gwi:84502}}

In all seriousness, I'm curious to know why you think there's a difference between your lawn and your neighbors? Is yours still thick / more dense than your neighbors, or at this point does your neighbors look better?

Also, in case you weren't aware, what Gary's showing in the picture above is the depth of black (usually rich) soil that exists even after years of chemical treatment (such as Scott's "4 Step Program"), plus that it was dug by hand, in winter.

Which brings me to second his question - why do you think it's compacted? Poor drainage? Uneven or bumpy spots? Aerating a clay soil will still leave you with clay soil. You would need to add OM (Organic Material) such as compost, leaf mulch, lawn clippings to change the actual composition. These materials will break down, but can eventually help change from a clay structure to the black dirt you see above.

Hope this helps,

Gags

dinosaur, you must feel your lawn needs aerating every year, otherwise why do you feel its necessary.
Do you understand the reason why a lawn is aerated and does your lawn fit the requirements.
I think you have come to believe a lawn, given aeration, is somehow a better lawn for it.
Not so, aeration is for a purpose and if you care for the lawn as you say you do, then aeration need only be done occasionally, depending on what happens to the soil inbetween.

Like a lawn can be overfertilized, overwatered, it can also be over aerated.

I do follow Scotts 4 step program and I plan aerating in Fall only....Thanks guys.