How to Fix Your Rough Lawn

Aerate the lawn with a core aerator to improve soil compaction. Compacted soil reduces drainage and air flow. Core aerators dig up plugs of dirt that are 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch in diameter and 1 to 6 inches deep. Push the core aerator across the lawn and rake up plugs of dirt.

Dethatch the lawn with a power dethatcher. Dethatching helps break up bumps within the yard and reduces that thatch layer. Thatch is the layer of living and dead material that naturally accumulates between the soil and grass blades. Push the power dethatcher back and forth across the lawn. Rake up the thatch debris.

Mow the lawn down to its recommended height. For example, bahia grass must be kept between 3 to 4 inches for healthy growth. By mowing the lawn before overseeding, you reduce the amount of competition between grass and grass seeds.

Distribute a starter fertilizer with a drop spreader on the lawn. A starter fertilizer high in phosphorous encourages healthy grass seedling root growth. Use a starter fertilizer that has a NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) amount like 16-20-0 at a rate of 6 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. Water the area after distributing the fertilizer.

Pour half of the amount of grass seed you need to use in a drop spreader. For instance, Kentucky bluegrass seeds must be distributed at a rate of 2 to 3 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. Push the drop spreader vertically over the lawn. Add the rest of the grass seed to the drop spreader and distribute vertically. Water the lawn area to moisten the soil.