I live in the south (NC) where I have extremely compacted red clay. My blend of perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass is extremely thin. Does aeration actually work and will I see a noticeable difference? I feel like I need to start over and bring in a ton of topsoil. Please help!
by Ok_Ganache_789
4 Comments
[deleted]
If the compaction is the cause of your thinning turf, yes. But the trick is determining if that is the cause.
[This may also help. ](https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/tall-fescue-and-kentucky-bluegrass-home-lawn-calendar)
I wouldn’t start with a soil test but def make sure you get some N down in late March sometime. It def looks pale and maybe didn’t get enough in fall.
I’d consider a fescue KGB blend verses the rye when it’s time to plant again. Appears you have some warm season mixed in too.
[and here is more on soil testing. ](https://www.reddit.com/r/lawncare/comments/1fgew3s/nilesandstuffs_guide_to_interpreting_and_acting/)
I live in a water town off the Chesapeake bay. We have clay soil as well. Aeration ALWAYS helps. Also…get a soil test and i would bet your ph is way off. Where i live i have to put down lime twice a year because of the clay. Also bring in leaf compost the next couple fall seasons. This did the trick for my clay soil