So my struggles to jump start my Bermuda lawn lead to a conversation with my Scott's Lawncare rep that said my yard is very compacted and I need to do a core aeriation. Of course this will be an extra to what we already pay them on a monthly basis. I'm not concerned with the cost, but is this a remedy for compacted soils? I know I have a dense clay base under the sod and sandy loam we put down prior to sodding, but it extends probably 4" below he surface, and the aeriators only goes 4", so will we be doing any good if we aren't getting down to the clays?

You could try some granular gypsum. I aerated my bermuda lawn last year, but couldn't tell a difference from the prior years.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/ContentView?pn=Lime_Gypsum

After you aerate, topdress with some sand and or/compost. Over time you'll be able to effect the soil structure.

Aerification is a waste of time and money. I would put a double dose of Milorganite and topdress it with compost.

I agree with troutslime mostly ... Core aerofication in yard might be a waist.. Solid tines (no core pulled) is the way I would go .. I then would put 10#'s of gyp per thousand sqft.. Milorganite is a great idea to include after the gyp...

Just curious Trout, why a golf course superintendent would say it is a waste of money and time? I am by no means an agronomist, but thought the same as the other poster, that getting more O2 into the soil was a good thing.

Solid tines only compact the soil that much further.

Who puts sliced bread on their lawn?

quote:

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Just curious Trout, why a golf course superintendent would say it is a waste of money and time? I am by no means an agronomist, but thought the same as the other poster, that getting more O2 into the soil was a good thing.

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First, do te math on the area you will impact. A 3/4" hole on 2" centers is not much area. The times on the machine will plug and are not pulling cores. I went almost two years without a single aerification on tifdwarf mowed at 1/8" or lower on push up greens and they did just fine. Better than fine because the members really liked it. I found I became a better super when I quit reading magazines and text books. I firmly believe that golf maintenance has lost it's mind.

How much oxygen can you put in there? The ebb and flow of the root mass provides aeration.

Oh ****, I've had a few cold ones and just opened a big bag of worms.

Not saying yea or nay. All I know is that EVERY golf course I have ever played on aerates their greens and fairways.

That must make it essential if everyone else is doing it.

I have never aerated a fairway.

What course?

Duble... Paging Dr. Duble...

Does he post here?