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Aerating a newly sodded lawn is generally not recommended immediately after installation. It's crucial to allow the sod to establish itself first, typically over the first growing season. Aerating too soon can disrupt the fragile root systems of the newly laid sod and potentially damage the turf. It's best to aerate prior to laying new sod or wait until the sod has fully rooted and the lawn is stable before considering aeration, usually after the first year.

The length of time it takes to aerate a lawn mostly depends on the yard's size. Generally, a lawn care professional can aerate a lawn that is 10,000 square feet in size in about 30 to 45 minutes. This process may take additional time if you have a heavily sloped or uneven yard, and it may cost extra for the lawn care pro’s labor and time.

Speeding up grass seed germination is possible, but it requires quite a bit of extra work and commitment. Keeping the soil moist is key, but here are a few other tried-and-true methods for growing your new grass as quickly as possible:

• Mist grass up to eight times per day to keep the soil moist.

• Purchase a moisture-retaining seed coating for your grass seeds.

• Amend soil that is compacted or in the wrong pH range.

• Choose the right grass seed for your area’s climate and soil conditions.

• Avoid planting on windy days or during periods of extreme rain or drought.

It’s best to fix lawn depressions during late spring. You want to wait until after your last frost date and when the yard is not too wet. This also allows ample time for new grass growth once you reseed.