Question
Hi there-
We are recovering from having our septic replaced. We put a new lawn in last spring from seed. We have about 1 acre of lawn. Some areas came in good, some were covered in crabgrass where the grass didn't take so well. My husband just aerated and overseeded today right before it rained. Hopefully, there's enough lawn and weeds to keep the seed from washing away? Also, the starter fertilizer is coming on Tuesday because it's provided by a service. What is your experience with this? Will my seed wash away?

Answer
The best way to sow Grass is to COVER the Seed with Soil -- typically, 1/8th to 1/4 inch deep.  This way you get the best germination rate, and you also protect the Seed from washing away in case of flood, or as we are experiencing in many parts of the country, in case of hurricane.  Some Seed likes even deeper planting.  We learn from our mistakes.

There are also mats sold to get around the threat of erosion:

www.seedland.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Seedland&Category_Code=MATS

You did not mention where you are writing from, but let's assume that if you are in Galveston, Texas, you can kiss your Seed goodbye.  Beyond that, much depends on how much and how fast it rains where you live.

With respect to your 'starter fertilizer', I'll just assume you are paying for application of a chemical Nitrogen fertilizer.  If you've read any of my answers here, you already know that Nitrogen is a Salt, with dozens of negative side effects and only one, briefly delivering some N to the Grass (and even that is very debatable) therefore it is not the best way to take care of a Lawn.  Millions of people like you are growing Grass the way you are; it's a system that's been going on for about 100 years at this point.  But now that we know so much more about Soil Science and Microbiology and Plant Pathology, now that we've switched genes to create Blue Roses and cloned Sheep and broken the DNA codes of Fungi, don't you think it's time to move forward?

Your Lawn Service may be good with a Lawnmower and a Spreader, but there are better ways to do this.

But half the country pays other people to care for their Lawns.  As long as they're happy, only a small number of homeowners and a few hundred golf course greensmen will be using modern Lawn care techniques.  Sigh.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER