restore a lawn shopping list • grass seed • lawn fertilizer • thatch rake • dethatcher • aerator • soil test kits • hose • sprinkler click here to create your shopping list! dethatch & aerate thatch can lead to poor grass color dethatched by hand with a thatch areas require power dethatching use an aerator for lawns with heavily compacted soil to give your grass roots more access to your lawn stay healthy click here to watch the full how-to video! how-to restore your lawn fertilize & apply seed fertilizer will help maximize root in a healthier lawn select a seed variety similar to your existing lawn to help ensure it will the suggested rate in one direction and at half the rate in the other direction menards water & care new seedlings need to be watered at least twice a day until the seedlings are at least 2 inches tall after the new grass is 3 inches tall with a lawn fertilizer will help keep your new grass looking great