Question
I reseeded with Johanthan Green Black Beauty last October after rototilling and spreading with high orgranic topsoil. It didn't really germinate until this week. But it is coming in a and I want to fill it in a little more and I have a couple of completely bare spots in where the seed must of washed away.  At what rate should I overseed?  Should I areate?   Shoud I rake up all of the little stones that migrated to the surface over the winter?  I live in MA zone 5 Thanks Lori

Answer
You can overseed by using 4-6 lbs per 1000 sq feet. You use 8 lbs per 1000 sq feet on the bare spots.

I would not aerate the young lawn yet. give it a chance to get established. maybe fall is best, or next spring.

On bare spots you can remove any rocks, but I would let the lawn alone for a few months before doing too much raking etc.

Fertilize your lawn in late spring, if you have not done so already. then do not fertilize during hot summer months, but repeat the applications in september and then again in late october.

Make sure you water regularily through this first summer as the young grass plants are very susceptible to drying out. Water approximately 1-2 times per week and when you water, water deeply. Avoid frequent shallow applications, such as daily for 15 minutes. Such watering pattern you should ONLY use during seed establishment, eg such as after you sow the new seeds and until they germinate in the bare spots.

The frequent, shallow applications should be used to keep the soil surface consistently moist which is required for germination. once the seeds germinate, gradually start to increase the time between watering and the amount of water you apply. the goal after 4-6 weeks is to water infrequently, but deeply, such as once per week for 2 hours.

Otherwise, I recommend mowing the lawn high for best establishment. mow it 3.5-4.5" tall, e.g. avoid cutting it too low.

Note, although the grass may be a little thin, it usually thickens up after a few weeks.

In future, if you are sowing seeds in fall, try to get it down in late august. This gives fast germination due to warm soil temperatures and 4-6 weeks of active growing conditions when the soil is cooling down. This is perfect for new grass. E.g. the best time to sow seeds is late august. Waiting until October does not give you result until the following spring - as you have noted. Early fall sowing is much preferred.

Good luck.