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Short answer: yes. Although aeration is beneficial for most lawns and soil types, if it’s done too frequently, you can weaken the grass’s roots so much that they’ll begin to have trouble. Generally, most lawns can be aerated as infrequently as once every one to three years, although those with more foot traffic and compaction may benefit from aeration up to twice yearly.

First, make sure you’re watering your grass early in the morning (and keep in mind you don’t have to water every day). Doing this helps ensure the water is able to soak in before the hot temps evaporate all of the water. Also, when you mow, don’t mow your grass as short as you would in non-drought conditions. Taller grass can help slow down the rate at which soil dries out. Finally, take your leftover lawn clippings and spread them out across the lawn to give it a little extra shade and nutrients.

Aeration can level your lawn if the issue is minor soil compaction, so it can help smooth things out if your yard is bumpy from foot traffic or vehicle traffic. However, it won’t slope your yard. If you have small areas where water seems to pool after precipitation, aeration could help, but larger issues with improperly sloped lawns and problems leading to foundation leaks or structural damage will require more comprehensive solutions.

When your sod is new, you should keep an eye on it to prevent dehydration. As new sod plants its roots into the soil beneath it, it can easily get dehydrated and start to turn brown. Keeping a consistent watering schedule for your new sod will help prevent this issue and will help it thrive as it roots into your yard.

Once your sod is about six weeks old, you can start to establish a regular lawn maintenance routine, complete with mowing, edging, and fertilizing.