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Hydroseeding over an existing lawn is possible, but certain adjustments are necessary since the process is for bare soil. Hydroseed mix is ​​usually very thick, which helps protect the seeds during germination. If you have existing grass on your site and still want to hydroseed, it's better to use a finer mulch mixture when spraying. A finer mulch mix means the seeds can root into existing soil without suffocating the existing grass.

One of the best ways to soften your grass and prepare it for planting grass seed is aeration. Aerating your lawn will loosen up compacted soil and facilitate a more even balance of nutrients from root to topsoil. We recommend using core aeration methods for the most effective soil-loosening results.

Lawn aerators range in cost depending on what type of aerator you’re purchasing. For example, a manual spike aerator might cost as little as $25, while a motorized core aerator will likely cost more than $1,000. Fortunately, these expensive pieces of equipment can be easily rented from many vendors for far less money.

When it comes to combatting the effects of soil compaction, core aeration does a far better job for a longer period of time—because it actually removes dirt rather than just pressing holes into it. By taking dirt out from under your lawn, core aeration allows more light, air, water, and nutrients to penetrate into the soil below and help your grass’s roots grow even stronger.