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A manual spike aerator or aerator shoe is a very affordable way to aerate a lawn. Such devices can often be purchased for between $30 and $50. Liquid aerator is another affordable option, but this enzymatic spray may not work as well as actual, physical aeration for helping ease compacted soil and may take several applications.

If it’s been a few weeks and you haven’t seen anything pop up, double-check your seed packet and make sure you didn’t miss any steps. Did they need cold stratification (putting seeds in the freezer and then transferring to water before planting)? Do they have an exceptionally long germination period? 

 If you’ve followed all of the directions closely, you may just have had a bad batch of seeds. (Sadly, it happens.)

Experts typically recommend aerating your lawn about once per year, but your aeration frequency will depend on your soil type, lawn condition, and other factors. For instance, you should aerate annually if you have clay-heavy soil or frequent foot traffic in your backyard. However, if your soil is loose or sandy and you don't use your yard often, you can probably aerate every other year.

While you may see some germination by simply tossing a handful of new seeds on a lawn, you'll have more success by following the proper reseeding or overseeding process step-by-step. Without properly tilling, mowing, amending the soil, and watering your lawn, the new seed could blow away or simply fail to take root.