On Mon, 28 Mar 2005 15:53:39 -0800, Endangered Bucket Farmer
wrote:

In article
,
says...
Aeration has little to do with seeding. I believe you want to
"overseed." In preparation, do not use any weed killer at least two
months before overseeding. Mow your lawn as close as possible,
picking up the grass clippings. Dethatch the lawn if needed. The
dethatching will bring the seed in contact with the ground. Use a
spreader to distribute the seed and use a starter fertilizer,


Any comments/recommendations on specific fertiliser
brands or formulations?


Any brand will do. Look for the word "Starter" on the bag. It is not
as harsh on seedlings as regular fertilizer.

then lightly drag a rake over the ground.


Rake *after* the seed is on? I thought the raking was
done before(?)


Lightly raking after overseeding helps move the seed to the ground,
rather than resting on top of leaves where it will rot or be eaten by
birds.

Protect with straw and keep moist.


I have found that gentleness is needed with the
watering. A blast from a hose tends to push the grass
seeds around (I.e. distributes unevenly.) I just have
a small grass area, so I use a 5-litre hand-pump
sprayer, three times per day, while the grass seed is
still working on itself.


That should work. A slow gentle rain is best, where water soaks in
rather than runs off.