How to Over Seed & Aerate Your Grass

Over seeding and aerating a lawn are methods of improving your lawn's health and appearance. Every five to six years, your lawn grass begins to age and the stands will become thin. Over seeding fills in the gaps between the lawn blades, which keeps the lawn looking lush and prevents weed growth. Aeration improves the grass seed's soil contact, which increases the rates of germination. The process of aeration and over seeding will keep your lawn looking healthy for several years.

Lawn mower
Grass rake
Lawn aerator
Slow-release nitrogen fertilizer
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Wait until late summer to over seed your lawn. Set your lawn mower to its lowest setting and mow the area to be over seeded. Only do one 5,000 to 6,000 square foot area per day, to avoid getting over tired.
- 2
  Use a grass rake to go over the area. Remove the clippings, along with any small pebbles or twigs that would get in the way of over seeding.
- 3
  Walk the area with a lawn aerator fitted with the largest available tines. Walk the aerator over the lawn until you have between 20 and 40 holes per square foot. This increases the soil's air circulation and drainage, and makes for easier seed germination.
- 4
  Spread the seed over the area by hand, or with a grass seed spreader. Follow the directions on the grass seed package for broadcasting rates, which will vary with species from 2 to 8 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. To use a spreader, fill the hopper with the seed, set the opening to the proper setting as directed and slowly walk the area to spread the seed.
- 5
  Apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to the area, according to the package directions. Water until the fertilizer dissolves. Continue watering two to three times daily to ensure the seeds stay moist, until they germinate. This can take up to four weeks.

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