This can be done with a steel tine rake or a dethatching attachment to your mower. You may get a stand of grass if you simply spread the seed over bare ground, but it will have to struggle to get an adequate root system and will be thinner and less resistant to disease and winter damage. Your new grass will be stronger and greener if you spread a Starter Fertilizer just before or after seeding. When using Bachman's lawn products, you will notice our Starter Fertilizer is the only product we have with phosphorus. In our area, phosphorus is only needed when starting new grass.
Organic products make a good starter fertilizer too.
How much seed you will need depends of what variety of grass you are using and if it is a new seeding or overseeding. Bluegrass can have up to 10 times as many seeds per pound as other grasses. Other Grass 300-350 sq. For small areas, spread the seed by hand. For larger areas, use either a hand held seeder or a fertilizer spreader.