Loosen compacted soil and remove dead grass before seeding

What to Do

Before dropping any seed, use a garden rake or hand cultivator to scratch the soil surface to a depth of 1-2 inches. Remove dead grass, roots, and debris so the seed makes direct contact with mineral soil.

Why It Works

Grass seed sitting on top of thatch or dead material cannot establish roots into the soil. Seed-to-soil contact is the single most important factor in germination success. Loosening the surface also improves water infiltration and reduces runoff from the seeded area.

Tips

• For larger areas, rent a slit-seeder that cuts grooves in the soil and drops seed simultaneously.
• If the soil is heavily compacted (screwdriver cannot penetrate), core aerate before seeding.