re: Is it time for yard work yet?

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Anyone have some advice on centipede growth under shade. Back yard has two big red oaks and a pine tree, certain areas in the shade is very sparse. It's in better growing shape than when we bought the place in 2011 from me keeping up with it, but still not great.

I plan on trimming back a few of the larger limbs that are only 10-12 feet up, hopefully thin some of the canopy out. Would aerating help? Is it maybe more of a competing for water issue than shade?

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Centipede is pretty tolerant of shade for a warm season grass. Better than bermuda, but not as good as St. Augustine.

What does the grass look like under the tree? Is it thinned out? Lotta top growth? Or is it just not as healthy as the other grass/off color?

If it's thinned out and spindly, then it's the shade.

Aerating would help relieve some compaction that could be caused by the tree roots.

Honestly, I think if you want to have a great looking yard and have trees, then you should just use pine needles or mulch around the trees. It's just hard to grow grass there.