[Turftoe]

Is it too much to aerate this time of year and then again in the spring?

My reasoning is this: I currently have some heavy thatch build up and compaction in several areas and I think aerating this season would help with both of those. Next spring I want to do an all out level to fill the gaps that the builder left when they laid the sod and I want to aerate before that as well.

Will this be too much stress on my lawn? I plan on picking up cores after aeration and putting down a good dose of Milo.

 

[Ecks from Tex]

Is it too much to aerate this time of year and then again in the spring?

My reasoning is this: I currently have some heavy thatch build up and compaction in several areas and I think aerating this season would help with both of those. Next spring I want to do an all out level to fill the gaps that the builder left when they laid the sod and I want to aerate before that as well.

Will this be too much stress on my lawn? I plan on picking up cores after aeration and putting down a good dose of Milo.

Twice a year is aggressive, but fine I'd you want.

But I would wait until fall to aereate. Fall is when the grass will build deeper and stronger root systems, so it is a great time to aereate.

And it's important to time an aberration out to be at the same time that you apply pre-emergent, because you're breaking through that barrier.

It is also a great idea to add a sand or sand/compost mix (my preference) to level the lawn after aereation

 

[viva_oldtrafford]

Is it too much to aerate this time of year and then again in the spring?

My reasoning is this: I currently have some heavy thatch build up and compaction in several areas and I think aerating this season would help with both of those. Next spring I want to do an all out level to fill the gaps that the builder left when they laid the sod and I want to aerate before that as well.

Will this be too much stress on my lawn? I plan on picking up cores after aeration and putting down a good dose of Milo.

Punch it! Bermuda loves to get beaten up. I aerify my greens (sure, not the same) 5-6 times a summer, and I'll aerify my fairways/tees no fewer than two times this summer (some areas will get punched 3 times).

Edit: i would aerify in the spring if it weren't for member events.

 

[Turftoe]

Thanks for the advice!

Punch it! Bermuda loves to get beaten up. I aerify my greens (sure, not the same) 5-6 times a summer, and I'll aerify my fairways/tees no fewer than two times this summer (some areas will get punched 3 times).

Edit: i would aerify in the spring if it weren't for member events.

Do you think I should put sand down each time I aerate?

 

[Tellycoleman]

Thanks for the advice!

Punch it! Bermuda loves to get beaten up. I aerify my greens (sure, not the same) 5-6 times a summer, and I'll aerify my fairways/tees no fewer than two times this summer (some areas will get punched 3 times).

Edit: i would aerify in the spring if it weren't for member events.

Do you think I should put sand down each time I aerate?

It wouldnt hurt to put down sand but not required.
You want to aerate when the lawn is actively growing. I would recommend now as apposed to the fall. During the fall you have less sunlight slower growth and slower recovery. You dont want the grass using its energy for repair instead of getting ready for dormancy.
As far as spring aeration goes I would wait until you lawn has almost 100% green up before aeration. The lawn care guys will come around door to door and try to get you to aerate when they do the cool season grass aeration. Just wait until your grass is actively growing.
Core tine selection is also important. The bigger wide the tine the longer it takes to repair. Maybe use a 3/4 tine in the spring so that those holes as big as your thumb can fill with sand during your level project.

You know that leveling your yard with sand will get ride of alot of your thatch issues as well.
Any reason why you cant do a large tine aeration and leveling this year?

 

[JRS 9572]

You know I've never been as aggressive as this video talks about because I don't have all the equipment and help he has. But you can do it more than once a year in the middle of the summer. This is a pretty informative video.

https://youtu.be/8SobZho1L94

 

[Turftoe]

It wouldnt hurt to put down sand but not required.
You want to aerate when the lawn is actively growing. I would recommend now as apposed to the fall. During the fall you have less sunlight slower growth and slower recovery. You dont want the grass using its energy for repair instead of getting ready for dormancy.
As far as spring aeration goes I would wait until you lawn has almost 100% green up before aeration. The lawn care guys will come around door to door and try to get you to aerate when they do the cool season grass aeration. Just wait until your grass is actively growing.
Core tine selection is also important. The bigger wide the tine the longer it takes to repair. Maybe use a 3/4 tine in the spring so that those holes as big as your thumb can fill with sand during your level project.

You know that leveling your yard with sand will get ride of alot of your thatch issues as well.
Any reason why you cant do a large tine aeration and leveling this year?

@Tellycoleman Thanks for the detailed response!

I would do it this year, but work won't be slowing down for a while and I want to be able to devote the proper time to it. Plus I may be able to split it with my neighbor. I'm looking to level sometime in April and I think that should be late enough to be safe.

BTW, awesome job on the YouTube video! Keep them coming!

 

[Turftoe]

You know I've never been as aggressive as this video talks about because I don't have all the equipment and help he has. But you can do it more than once a year in the middle of the summer. This is a pretty informative video.

Great video! Makes me want to buy a verticutter

 

[kur1j]

How late is too late to aerify in the season? If I aerate would I also need to verticut or is it advised to do both; maybe at different times of the year?

I've always understood it to be from most damaging/stressful to least: aerify --> verticut --> groomer. They seem to have fertilizer and chemical treatment schedules (preE/postE) but haven't quite figured out the schedule for beating up the lawn.

 

[JRS 9572]

You know I've never been as aggressive as this video talks about because I don't have all the equipment and help he has. But you can do it more than once a year in the middle of the summer. This is a pretty informative video.

Great video! Makes me want to buy a verticutter

Here's another. Look up Sod Solution's page on www.youtube.com They have some interesting stuff. I just wish I had the equipment that makes it easier to do like they have.