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When your sod is new, you should keep an eye on it to prevent dehydration. As new sod plants its roots into the soil beneath it, it can easily get dehydrated and start to turn brown. Keeping a consistent watering schedule for your new sod will help prevent this issue and will help it thrive as it roots into your yard.

Once your sod is about six weeks old, you can start to establish a regular lawn maintenance routine, complete with mowing, edging, and fertilizing.  

Reseeding your lawn can help eliminate thin or patchy portions of grass. If you’re paying a professional to aerate your lawn, it’ll cost you an additional $50 to $80 on average to reseed it  in the same trip. Reseeding a lawn yourself can cost between $500 to $1,000, meaning you’ll probably save time and money hiring a professional service. 

Watering the lawn after aeration is crucial for getting the most benefits out of it. Not watering the lawn enough will cause the efforts of aeration to be in vain. Light and frequent watering will prevent the soil and grass seeds from drying out, but too much watering can create a muddy mess and wash the seeds away. Watering twice a day is a good benchmark.

Overseeding after aeration is not always necessary, but it can be highly beneficial, especially for lawns with thin or patchy areas. Aeration creates an optimal environment for new grass seed germination by improving soil contact and reducing competition from thatch. If you aim to thicken your lawn, address bare spots, or introduce a new grass variety, overseeding immediately after aeration can help rejuvenate and enhance your lawn's overall health and appearance. However, whether you overseed or not depends on your specific lawn goals and condition.