What are the steps in establishing a new lawn?

Question

First time home owner and I've killed my lawn completely because of weeds and unevenness. I'm looking too see if I have the steps correct.

1. Rototill lawn
2. Add topsoil to smooth unevenness
3. Aerate lawn
4. Throw seeds and water

Answer 1

Your steps are in a reasonable order, but you don't need to aerate recently tilled soil. That's not productive. To the contrary, consider compacting the soil slightly with a plate device to reduce settling later, which causes waviness. Even mildly compacted you can easily rake your seed into the surface.

You may not need additional topsoil. Once you've tilled adequately you should be able to level the soil to a satisfactory degree. Only bring in soil if you need to raise grade or bolster poor quality soil.

Absolutely critical is keeping the soil moist during the first few weeks of growth. If it dries, it dies.

Answer 2

You really need to hire someone if this is your process.

Tilled weed will just show up again

Tilled soil doesn't need to be aerated

Tilled soil can be raked to even it out

Grass seed needs to be in the soil, and needs covering to protect it.