Core Aeration

I know it's best to top dress the lawn after core aeration but if I skip the the topdressiing and just overseed after core aeration, will this be effective as well? Any experiences you would like to share?

Thanks.

 

primary goal of aeration is to correct compacted soil. Top dressing is an added benefit to the lawn as a whole (you can top dress the lawn without aerating as well) but the two do work well together. IMHO better to aerate w/o top dressing than to not aerate at all.

 

A follow-on question for anyone with expertise on the subject:

Does continuing aeration year after year accomplish much? Understanding that the top couple of inches you are reaching was originally sod, and you are not getting down to the clay underneath to mix it in with the better soil of the sod, does aeration for 5 or 6 years annually continue to accomplish anything worth the price?

 

I read once that if you can push a medium sized screwdriver into the lawn up to its handle, (in several places) then you don't need to aerate.

 

Phillips or slotted screwdriver?