Tilling in dead vegetation improves soil s texture and water-handling abilities, Fagerness said. A healthy lawn needs about a half foot of nutrient-rich, properly aerated soil. Ten to 12 inches of good soil is even better, where possible. But don t overtill. Clods about an inch wide will do a better job than pulverized dirt powder.
Overtilled soil leaves seed unprotected.
It often forms a crust that air can t get through, and it s hard to get back into shape. Hand raking the soil is the final step before planting, Fagerness said. That will make the new lawn look better and be easier to mow for years to come. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.