If your grass is suffering because there’s too much shade in parts of your yard, you’re better off replacing lawns that require sun in those areas with low-maintenance ground covers that thrive in the shade instead. Or consider adding landscaping features like a fire pit where grass struggles to grow. That will have the added benefit of cutting down the mowing needed. Power raking will remove excess organic material and aerate the soil, allowing your new lawn to take root. You want to leave just the barest layer (about 1/4 inch) of thatch on the ground. Then rake off the remaining debris. You’ll know you’ve raked enough when you see equal amounts of bare soil and dead grass stems. Then spread a thin layer of compost over the soil and rake it in evenly. If you’re installing sprigs or plugs, it’s just a matter of digging little holes and plopping the plants in place. Cut a small trench for sprigging and use a sod plugger for plugs. You can usually buy this where you purchased the plugs. Be sure the mower blade is sharp the first time you mow; a dull blade could rip the seedlings from the ground. Then mow as you usually would to keep the grass at the height you want it. For the health of your turf, don’t cut off more than a third of the leaf length during any one mowing.
