Lawns add curb appeal to property, control soil erosion and filter pollution from groundwater. They also help moderate summer temperatures, reduce water use and add much needed oxygen to the air. However, over time most lawns can get a bit overgrown with weeds and patchy in places. A lush, healthy lawn not only looks great but it can also raise the value of your home.

So if your lawn is looking a little worse for wear, renovating it is an excellent option. However, the process can be lengthy and the costs can add up, especially for larger properties. This is why it is essential to work with a landscaping professional who can take the factors into consideration to provide you with an accurate estimate.

A total lawn renovation typically includes a combination of dethatching, overseeding and specific soil improvements to improve the health of the existing turfgrass. This may include nutrient amendments, core aeration and a grading or leveling of the lawn to remove high spots and fill low ones.

If the lawn is very thin due to drought, pests or shade then a complete re-seeding with an appropriate grass type can be beneficial. This could include introducing a species or variety that provides increased drought resistance, improved water use efficiency and pest resistance.

Usually, the first step in a full lawn renovation is killing all the existing grass and weeds with a non-selective herbicide such as Round-up or Avenger. This should be done just prior to the desired date of re-seeding.

Overseeding can be done in the spring, fall or both. However, the best time to over seed cool-season grasses is from mid to late August through September and for warm season grasses April through July in Colorado.

The next step is to prepare the soil for the new seed by core aerating. This mechanical process removes small cores of soil, improving drainage, reducing compaction and encouraging new root growth. It is best done in the fall or spring and ideally is followed by top dressing, which is a layer of material that is applied to improve soil structure, levels out bumps or hollows and helps protect newly seeded areas from drying out and being eaten by birds.

If poor drainage is an issue then the site may need to be graded for proper flow and drainage, or a sand/loam top dressing applied over the area. Also, in areas with excessive thatch a dethatching rake or implement pulled behind the mower can be used to loosen and remove the old thatch layer.

Depending on the results of the soil test it may be necessary to amend the soil with a nutrient or organic product. Finally, a grading or leveling of your lawn is often required to remove high or low spots, and it is important to have a good quality topsoil for this purpose. It’s a great idea to have a good quality garden broom or rake on hand for brushing in the grass seed and top dressing.