Grass, mow your own or pay someone?

[Rider]

Originally Posted by MILK

Clay soil is very dense and little air gets in. Do you aerate? That is important. Do you use lime?

Getting the soil tested is the best route but I have never had that done anywhere. My previous house had clay and the backyard had shaded bits. I never worked the lawn but my ex was adament about lime and aeration. The grass on that lawn is in really good shape. He also fertilized in the Spring but I don't know what he used. It wasn't anything special though. The folks at Lowe's or Home Depot could suggest a good fertilizer.

If your backyard is shade all the time though you may never get the grass like you want it..

I aerate once a year and I put down 100lbs of lime for the first time last year. I pay to have my yard fertilized but I have used 3 different services and the result was the same with every company I used. And yes the backyard, well 3/4 of it anyway, is 100% shade all day long.