What order should I do lawn care tasks like aeration and seeding?
Combining treatments like aerating, seeding, and adding compost requires a specific sequence, such as applying compost directly after aerating so it fills the holes. Without the right order, beginners struggle to know how to perform these steps effectively and worry their efforts will produce poor results.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Asking for advice on online forums to verify professional recommendations
- 2Trusting the professional lawn care provider's suggested order
- 3Following beginner guides, consulting online forums for order of operations, and adjusting the sequence of dethatching, aerating, seeding, and fertilizing.
- 4Asking for advice on which action to prioritize or whether organic fertilizers can be used simultaneously with overseeding.
- 5Having the lawn service aerate only, then leveling the yard with top soil, and finally overseeding yourself afterwards.
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Is this too much for this fall, am i on the right track?”source ↗
“Does that sound like the correct sequence? I’m a newbie and would like your advice on the correct sequence to follow.”source ↗
“I would think that adding compost after aerating would produce better results, as there will be holes all over your lawn for the compost to fill.”source ↗
“That’s is how it makes sense to me and I ask here.”source ↗
“I’ve begun my fall yard work a little late and now I’m not sure if I will have time to do both overseeding and fall fertilizer so what would be the best course of action.”source ↗
“My question is, would it be ok to overseed before I level the yard with my top soil?”source ↗
“There are some pretty low spots that will need a good amount of dirt and I was worried that putting the soil down over my seeds might prevent them from getting enough water and growing properly.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4Are later steps in lawn care programs actually necessary?
- 10How to water new grass seed with a full-time job
- 18How do I figure out what kind of grass I have?
- 5When should I stop watering my lawn for winter?
- 4How to mow a lawn for the first time without messing it up
- 79Why is my overseeding failing to grow?