What to do next? Part II

[FOOTDOC]

I appreciate all of your info on what to do next. My question is the value of core aeration. We hired Scott's lawn care this year and I can honestly say I have done better myself. I will be returning to doing it myself next year. Anyway, the Scott's expert is suggesting core aeration followed by starter fertilizer and overseeding. I was thinking of top dressing with pulverized soil and then the starter fertilizer, seed and rolling the soil to drive the seed/fertilizer in. What do you all think of core aeration and my plan to top dress the bare spots?

[LwnmwnMan2]

My opinion on core aeration is this.....

If you have a heavy, clay type soil that dries out alot, then yes, it should probably be done.

If you have a loose, sandy type soil, then it isn't as big of an issue.

Now.... if you're going to return to doing it yourself next year, then you could probably do the aeration yourself.

If you need to aerate, then I would do that, then top dress with the dirt, overseed and go from there.

It's probably something you can do yourself, unless you've got a 4+ acre yard.

[FOOTDOC]

Thands for the reply. I have 2 acres and about 1 acre is going to be core aerated and reseeded. Scott's is charging me $150 to aerate, starter fertilizer and overseed. I don't think I can rent the aerator for a 1/2 day for $150 let alone the other things they are gonna do. They also guarantee grass so what the heck. I am gonna top dress and we will see what we get. Thanks again.

[LwnmwnMan2]

You're right. For that price there's no reason to do it yourself.

I know around here that job would be costing you more in the #1500-2000 range, from what I hear anyways, which I DO have to take with a grain of salt.