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While hydroseeding is designed for bare soil, it is possible to apply it over an existing lawn with certain adjustments. For the new seed to be successful, it needs good seed-to-soil contact to germinate and take root. Without proper preparation, most of the new seed will fail to establish and will die. To hydroseed over existing grass, first mow the lawn as low as possible, then loosen and clear any exposed soil. It is also recommended to use a finer mulch mixture in the hydroseed spray, which helps the seeds penetrate the existing turf and reach the soil without suffocating the established grass.

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. 

Power seeding and aeration are both excellent ways to improve lawn health, but they serve different functions. Aeration focuses on improving soil health by creating channels that allow more water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide to reach the roots. In contrast, power seeding is a method of planting grass seeds, often by creating narrow trenches in the soil. One service isn't better than the other; they are complementary. It is beneficial to aerate your lawn before power seeding, as this makes the seeding more effective by helping the germinating seeds access the resources they need. It's a good practice to aerate your lawn once or twice a year, regardless of whether you plan to power seed.

The best grass type for shady areas depends on your region, your preferences, and your yard’s microclimate. Overall, the best cool-season grass for shade is ryegrass or tall fescue, while the best warm-season grass for shade is St. Augustine. But again, this can depend on what you’re looking for in the grass. The best grass for your shady yard might be one that looks good to you, one that tolerates high foot traffic, or grass with other characteristics that make it fit your lawn needs.