Renting towable plug aerator? Fall lawn care tips needed

[Finnster]

I was looking at renting a plug aerator. Is this a good time of year to aerate? We've had a wet summer and the grass is still green and actively growing.

I have under 2ac of grass. Hard clay soil that has never been aerated afaik. Moved in last year. I think the pH is acidic, but I need to test it.


This is what I was looking to rent, towed by my 26hp compact kubota:

AERATOR 5' TOW 3 PT / CLEVIS
PLUGGING DEPTH:UP TO 3.5"
PLUGGING WIDTH: 60"
OVERALL WIDTH: 79"
WEIGHT:477 LBS (EMPTY)

$13/hr. Min 4 hrs. $98 max per day or weekend.

Never worked an aerator before, but I'm guessing its pretty straight forward. Just tow and go. Sounds like two perpendicular passes is best. Mowing takes 1.5hrs, so I would think I could get this done in less than 3.

I have quite a few worksites that need seeding, and then fall fertilizing to do. Does this sounds like a decent schedule? I'm Zone 7A fwiw:

Aerate: (soon)
Grass seeding: ~Labor day
Lawn Ferts: Oct

If I went to apply lime, is it fine to apply at same time as ferts? No prob right?

Not too fussy about the grass, but my most common weeds are clover,
ground ivy/henbit


broadleaf plaintain Some big patches in some of the shady areas (esp around trees.)


I don't want to go nuking w/ poisons, so I'm hoping some better care will help slow/reverse some damage? I'll go more drastic some other year.
The plantains have long tap roots, and I have no plans to go digging them all up. Rather till the entire area, add top soil and start over.
Could care less about the clover. Looks fine mowed and the bees like the flowers.

I don't really have any thatch build up.

 

[ditzel]

I just bought a agri-fab tow behind plug aerator, for about $210 online, delivered. need to make 2 passes then 2 perpendicular. pretty happy with it. I figure instead of renting, if I use this spring and fall this year, it has paid for itself.
Not to hijack your thread, but the shed in the first pic of your yard, what size is it? do you store your tractor in it?