I'm dealing with a messy backyard situation—about 50% of it is just mud or has yellow spots. I'm curious whether I should go ahead and plant grass seed now or wait until around August. Living in Illinois, I would have to rake leaves, mow, and spread the seed if I do it now. Alternatively, I could wait for fall or hire a professional who would not only lay down the seed but also aerate the soil. What do you all think?
3 Answers
If you seed now, you'll get a full growing season! Just make sure to clear the area first. Renting an aerator is super cheap and really easy to do—plus, it's kind of fun! You only need it for about half an hour to cover your yard.
It's best to aerate before seeding now, but you could still seed without aerating. Remember that if you do both now and in the fall, it might be better to hire a pro since the costs might end up being similar.
Now's definitely the time to plant! If you water daily and put some straw down, it'll help protect the seeds from wind and sun while preventing them from washing away.