The soil in your yard can become so tightly packed together that it no longer provides the moisture and nutrients your grass and flowers need to thrive. It can happen for many reasons, including foot traffic, heavy weights such as construction equipment pushing down on it or hard rains. When your lawn becomes compacted, you can choose between at least three methods to fix the issue. 

Aerating

Aerating disrupts the soil in your yard, which allows room for expansion. Choose between spike aerators that make small holes in your yard, slicing aerators that create small pathways through your lawn or plug aerators that remove soil from your space. The best time to aerate your yard is during the growing season since your grass will repair itself quickly during that time. If needed, overseed the area and give it a dose of fertilizer to encourage new growth. 

Forking

If the compacted area is relatively small, then you can use a garden fork to fix the issue. Start by slightly moistening the compressed area. Push the fork about 3 inches into the ground about every 3 inches working in one direction. Then, come back and repeat across the site in a perpendicular direction. This process breaks up the compacted soil so it can retain moisture and nutrients. 

Tilling

Tilling is usually the method of last resort. You should use it only when you plan to plant completely new grass in the area. Using a tiller helps to break up large clods of soil that other methods may not work on. The best time to till your yard is in the late summer and early fall because the combination of warm soil and cooler air increases seed germination. If you choose this method, you need to watch for weeds trying to overtake your new grass. Pull them up by hand while making sure you get the root structure. 

Choose the method of solving compacted areas of your yard based on your unique circumstances. Once you've solved the problem, then take steps to prevent it from happening again. Always work in your yard when it's completely dry. Create pathways to deter people from walking on your grass. Work organic matter into your soil. You can also use lawn mowers with thinner tires that are well balanced, so there's less weight on each tire. All of this can help prevent your lawn from becoming compacted again.

Reseeding versus laying sod when filling in bare spots in your lawn or establishing a new lawn is a common predicament. Reseeding is the process of planting grass seed to patch up thin or damaged areas or grow a whole new lawn. It's an effective way to thicken your lawn, improve your lawn’s look and health, reduce weeds, and switch up to a new type of lawn grass. 

On the other hand, sodding is planting already mature grass, also known as turf grass, held together by a root system or other materials. To choose the best option for your lawn, you need to consider several factors like the size of your lawn, budget, current seasonal conditions, labor requirements, and use demands. Below are some advantages and disadvantages of reseeding versus getting sod, which you should consider before deciding the best course for your lawn.

Pros of Reseeding Over Sod

• A wider selection of seed varieties - There are more options for grass seed to choose from as compared to sod. The flexibility allows you to get the best choice of grass for your soil, air, lighting, and climatic conditions. It also ensures you have drought and disease-resistant options, resulting in better performance with less maintenance.

• Easy to install - It's harder to work with heavy sod rolls than it is to work with seed. You can use a spreader to disperse grass seed fast and evenly on already prepared soil. Installing sod is a lot like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. It requires careful laying, trimming, and proper alignment with the contours and borders of your yard.

• Less expensive - Seeding entails low material and labor costs with many sources citing it as 10–30% less than sodding. The price of either is influenced by the type of grass, lawn size, and whether you'll be hiring professionals for the job.

• Adaptability - Reseeding for the first time allows the seeds to adapt to your micro-climate, nutrients, and soil while establishing strong roots that give you a lush and hardy lawn.

Cons of Seed Over Sod

• Limited by site conditions - Seeding is not a good option for sloped areas, and it requires additional protection from animals, birds, and foot traffic.

• Timing is a concern - While sod can be laid at any time of the year, provided it's watered regularly and has time to root before winter begins, lawns should only be seeded in fall or spring for the best germination rates.

• Longer establishment time - You need to be patient with reseeding as it takes up to two years to fill a lawn; however, sod delivers instant gratification, giving you a new lawn within a few weeks.

• Increased risk of failure - Seeds are very delicate and require constant watering and weed elimination. Failure to maintain it properly increases its risk of failure. Sod, on the other hand, is already strong and resilient against weeds and pests.

Reseeding a lawn is an inexpensive way to replace or fill in a lawn, but it calls for more care and attention than sodding. The choice is up to you, and the good news is you'll have grass on your lawn with either choice, which provides you with multiple benefits.