The Grass Doctor

Do I have to aerate before I spread grass seeds?

I am trying to get my front lawn to grow in some bare spots. I really dont want to get the yard aerated again (I had it done last year). Will the grass grow if I just throw the seeds over an un-aerated yard?

Public Comments

1. Though any attempt at seeding is better than none, slit seeding is still the best way to get a great even lawn. Birds eat grass seed laying on the surface. Watering is so important to growing a lawn so seeding in any way and not having a planned watering routine will do you no good. We usually slit seed once a year and water daily in the morning and late afternoon. We use a weed killing fertilizer.
2. The simple answer is "Yes". Since you state that you want to grow grass in 'some bare spots', you will get better grass seed germination if you lightly rake the soil in the bare spots before you sow the grass seeds. The loosened soil will help give the tiny grass roots an easy place to grow in. If you want to over-seed your entire front lawn, you should check how thick the level of thatch is first. Grass seed will germinate in a thick layer of lawn thatch, but it will die just as quickly. This article will tell you how to easily check the level of thatch in your lawn so you can determine if you need to have your lawn aerated again before sowing grass seed.
3. I use my old golf shoes to aerate my yard while I work.