Reddit reviews Scotts Lawns: Your Guide to a Beautiful Yard

I'm going to take a stab at this.

First off, you need to determine what shape your grass is in exactly (it also helps to determine what kind of grass it is). If your grass is yellow but still alive (i.e. poor watering), that's different than if your grass is actually dead.

Assuming your grass is alive, it's important for you to start watering to give the grass some life (no pun intended). Water infrequently (2x/week?) and deeply. This encourages the grass to grow deep roots and will give it strength to ride out droughts/pests/weeds/etc.

You can certainly go about fertilizing. The Scotts website is a halfway decent starting place. University turf management program web pages are also good and sometimes have region-specific calculators to help you determine the optimal times to apply what needs to be applied.

The next thing I'd do is go rent a core aerator. Few things help out a lawn more than this. It will help break up the soil and will encourage grass growth.

As you mow, be sure to use the highest setting. Try to avoid cutting more than 1/3 of the grass at anytime. If your grass is actively growing, you may need to cut more than once a week. Don't bag the clippings - just use a mulching blade.

You can overseed in the fall, but I'd honestly recommend waiting a year to see what you've already accomplished. You don't need to overseed a healthy lawn - and overseeding an unhealthy lawn won't get you anywhere.

Finally, the weeds: There's a "weed patch," and then there's just having a "couple weeds." You'll need chemicals to treat a weed patch - so something like a "weed 'n feed" this May will work for you. Follow the directions closely to ensure that you're applying the right amount, and pay attention to any special instructions i.e. apply to wet grass. Some combo fertilizer/weed killers work better when watered in.

If you have just a few weeds (i.e. next year, after you've put work in this year), it's up to you how diligent you want to be when it comes to killing them. My grass is so thick and strong that very few weeds can survive - and I'm surrounded on 5 sides by my neighborhood's dandelion nurseries. If a weed is really bothering me I'll go out and cut it out (be sure to get the roots), but that's pretty rare.

So, lots to read here but hopefully it's helpful. I'd add this - Scotts Lawns: Your guide to a beautiful lawn was a life saver for me. They don't publish new ones but lawn "technology" hasn't changed in a while. This book will help you immensely and is relatively cheap.

Good luck!

At .3 acres, I would just aerate the heck out of it. This will allow you to get the soil nice and open for air movement, and moisture penetration. At least two passes perpendicular to each other (if possible), and another pass if you have the time/energy.

Using a seed spreader is fine for overseeding. A starter fertilizer is not a bad idea, but please don't overdo it...follow the application rate specified on the bag.

Keep that ground damp, but not soaked. Ideally, you will water a couple to times per day, but avoid nighttime watering as cool nights + moisture promotes fungal issues.

Don't overthink this project. It may take some time to get the soil conditions perfect. Weed and feed should be done after the seed has completely germinated and grass blades are somewhat mature. How long depends on growing conditions. If you weed and feed too early, you can stress the lawn.

This book is a great reference guide for those new to lawns. I highly recommend - it has a yearly calendar for each type of turf, with guides on when to aerate, overseed, fertilize, etc.

Good luck!

EDIT TO ADD: Before you go out and buy that book...let me double check to make sure that is the correct text. The calendar feature is key, and I want to make certain it is the book. I will check when I get home tonight and follow up with you.