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Throwing grass seed on existing lawn isn’t likely to germinate, grow roots, or become healthy grass. You need to prep the soil, spread fertilizer with your seed, and sow the seed into the soil. Water the seed every day for two weeks to ensure it germinates and grows roots. Be sure to stay off the area and wait to mow until it reaches optimal height.

Several signs indicate that your lawn may require aeration. If you notice water pooling or runoff after rainfall, it suggests poor water infiltration, and aeration could help. Compacted soil may cause grass to thin out, turn yellow, or struggle to grow. Additionally, the presence of a thatch layer, which is a buildup of dead grass and debris, can indicate aeration is needed to alleviate thatch and promote healthier grass growth. Monitoring these signs can help you determine when your lawn would benefit from aeration.

Yes, you should water the lawn after aerating. Now that you’ve loosened up the soil to better receive nutrients, it’s time to hydrate and fertilize your lawn. You’ll want to keep it evenly moist to promote healthy growth. Don’t drown your grass—too much of a good thing can reverse all the work you’ve done with aeration in the first place. But especially if you’ve overseeded and/or fertilized after aeration, you’ll want to ensure a moist soil layer to absorb those nutrients and fuel for new growth.

Depending on the lawn treatments, the best times of the year to redo your lawn are between mid-August and mid-September for overseeding and renovation treatments. For areas such as the southern United States, lawn aeration works best during the fall, when the temperatures begin to drop. Otherwise, early spring is your next best bet because the grass is fresh and ready to absorb nutrients, and the temperature isn’t hot enough to fry the grass and the renovation materials.