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Yes, you can overseed your lawn without aerating it, but results may vary. If you have the time, dethatching or aerating your lawn before overseeding will yield the best results. Overseeding your lawn without aerating will work, but less seed will take root. For the best possible results, aerate your lawn before overseeding it.

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.

Aeration can level your lawn if the issue is minor soil compaction, so it can help smooth things out if your yard is bumpy from foot traffic or vehicle traffic. However, it won’t slope your yard. If you have small areas where water seems to pool after precipitation, aeration could help, but larger issues with improperly sloped lawns and problems leading to foundation leaks or structural damage will require more comprehensive solutions.

Moss growing in a lawn is a sign of poor soil that makes it hard for grass and plants to grow. Moss thrives in these conditions and spreads easily, so it can quickly take over your yard if it’s lacking in nutrients, too wet, or has an excessive amount of shade. Moss in the lawn isn’t always a bad thing, but it can prevent turfgrass from forming deep roots.