The answer to 'my aeration looks bad' is that there are several common causes for poor lawn aeration, including soil compaction, improper aeration technique, or the wrong timing. Symptoms may include bare or thinning patches, poor water and nutrient absorption, and overall lackluster lawn health.
To fix this, you can try DIY aeration by renting a core aerator and going over the lawn in multiple passes. This will help loosen the soil and allow better air, water, and nutrient flow. However, if the lawn is severely compacted or the aeration is still not effective, it's best to call a professional landscaper to assess the issue and recommend the right solution.