How to RENOVATE a SMALL LAWN - Cheap & Easy!

Get BIG RESULTS for a SMALL LAWN in an AFTERNOON WITHOUT renting AERATORS or heavy equipment. Follow these EASY TIPS for smaller lawns that are easy on you & your BUDGET! Stop wasting time & money and get a simple lawn solution that works.
Starter Fertilizer: amzn.to/32AD40K
Grass Seed: amzn.to/2yE4Drq
Water Timer: amzn.to/2RlSq3K
Handheld Rotary Spreader amzn.to/3bOHXqZ
Walk Behind Value Spreader: amzn.to/3huiyEx
Groundskeeper 2 Rake: amzn.to/3djRN4F /
Check your local hardware store for the $35-40 price for a better dealer. The Amazon price varies depending who sells it so check back for better prices
This video, description and comments contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
Check me out on Instagram for great photos & project updates
/ silvercymbal
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.

[@SilverCymbal]

Thanks for watching please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE. More info in the description but quick links here: Fertilizer: amzn.to/32AD40K Grass Seed: amzn.to/2yE4Drq Water Timer: amzn.to/2RlSq3K Handheld Rotary Spreader amzn.to/3bOHXqZ Walk Behind Spreader: amzn.to/3huiyEx Groundskeeper 2 Rake: amzn.to/3djRN4F (This rake can be bought locally for $30-45)

[@jerryhahn3169]

Z

[@nauticaguy123]

Hey I first wanted to thank you for showing me how to renovate my front yard. So my house in Northern VA was built on a slope and the back yard is some grass but mostly mud and clay. How can I make the back yard less muddy? Do you think a layer of sod on top would do the trick? Also I used black beauty last year and it turned out great. I wanted to add Kentucky blue grass to the mix. What do you think? What blue grass seed would you recommend? Thanks Again!

[@Blessed-Teddy]

Hi I live in wisconsin, is it too late this season to do this or if I do it will it grow in the spring? My yard is a mess

[@HunterplaysminecraftKove]

You know I thought id be watching videos like this when Im in my 30s... Im only 19 man lmao

[@jbnbdar3528]

I’m 14 this kind of stuff interest me

[@prototype0237]

@@jbnbdar3528 Same I’m 17 and I like watching this stuff

[@SD_Racing]

34 y/o here - you probably will :)

[@_DeadeyeGaming]

Me being 12

[@billrobbins5874]

😅😂🤣😭😳🙄🤭🤔 65 here! Thank you, made my day!

[@Arcturus97]

This guy has the best lawn care videos. Informative, concise, tells you step by step procedures, lists all the products he uses, and he shows you the before and after results, complete with no irritating music or irrelevent and rambling off-topic personal stories. Very good work Silver Cymbal.

[@paulanzini]

they are not WEEDS, they are native plant species

[@PMTcommenter]

Wet helpful and straight to the point. No 10 minute life story, just the info we wanted. Thanks!

[@redguy8941]

You should rake before applying seed to create groves in the soil. Then spread a thin layer of peat moss to cover your seed. Raking after applying seed will spread your seed and create bare patches and thicker spots in your turf

[@kayakMike1000]

That will help with fertilizer. The peat will hold on to water and should slow down the fertilizer from washing away.

[@testmcgee9230]

Straw. I grab a bale or 2 of straw when I restore lawns. They are cheap and available at feed stores. Break them up and spread them out over the re-seeded area. The straw layer keeps the ground from getting too hot or too cold and helps keep the soil moist. The new grass will grow right through the straw layer and eventually the straw will compost into the soil.

[@warriordugan7236]

And keeps the birds away from eating the seeds.

[@russellbenson7055]

SC, another tremendous video for those of us with smaller property and or areas to revive and treat after the searing summer heat damage. Thank you as always for for sharing sir!!!

[@SilverCymbal]

Thank you so much, I had a lot of requests and I am glad this was helpful.

[@bryankosidowski6370]

Love it! Your videos are practical and so easy to follow . I loved seeing your homemade sprinkler again. I made three of them myself and love em!

[@michaelaryeh7861]

This is the most informative and straight up lawn care video ive ever seen

[@PammyRock]

Thanks for the tips! This summer was brutal on my lawn in some areas, so I will definitely use your tips for revitalizing it.

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad it was helpful. I also had the same type of damage like you can see here. Very tough year for the lawn add us too!

[@dnfwme]

Oh man this is the simplest method I have seen after watching so many videos. People make videos for Pros but not for a homeowner who has another job. Great Video.

[@abeltesfaye7431]

This is my favorite channel for anything related to lawn care.

[@Striperman]

I just did last week. Mowed at 1/2 " with my Liberty 43, used the Groundskeeper 2 rake in two directions, over seeded and covered with Peat Moss. Its been 6 days and the lawn is looking great already. Simply fix for Summer stress, fungus or insect damage . Weather is perfect now for cool season lawns here on LI.

[@pleasantcrew]

Oh my goodness this video was amazing! My wife and I just bought our first home and this tutorial will come in handy. Thank you!

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matta6817]

Same just bought house and spring is here 😅

[@kidlatazul]

Thank you! I have a micro lawn, in very poor shape after this summer's heat and drought. I'll try your method this week. By Spring it should look great.

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad it was helpful. Thank you

[@zoomzoombabe]

You may not know this sir…but you’re a lawnsaver…not all heroes wear capes! Hero🦸🏻‍♂️

[@shaunstocks5298]

Great help and thanks very much…I was going to leave seeding until next March, but October seems to be the best month 😁👍🏼

[@MrStride]

So simple yet so effective. Love this content

[@Albertelmstreet]

this is going to be the project for this weekend, time to save my pathetic lawn

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad it was helpful, good luck with the project

[@vpisces85]

How did it go

[@leemikle2242]

@@vpisces85 it’s still the same 🥱

[@gaylemcgee2221]

Thx, this was what I've needed to get started on our lawn. This is great information and I can't wait to get started.

[@cjlaviation]

I don't even own grass and I loved this video! Will keep in mind if I ever do! :)

[@AFROGUIDER]

beautiful content, we all love lawns , thats what we spend most our day here in Calgary- mowing lawns 16 hours every day.

[@kevyelyod1211]

My wife’s boyfriend uses this method too.

[@KanyeWest2024]

😂

[@silverdropstang]

Plot Twist: Your wifes boyfriend is also your husband

[@SiegePerilousEsauMaltomite]

@@silverdropstang I don’t think that’s legal

[@Killua4145]

hold on.. what lol

[@Leo-ul5pc]

@@silverdropstang "Always has been"

[@mji6326]

Great video, as usual. Hello from Easton.

[@thomashermann4228]

Another great video. Easy to follow and understand. Thank-you!

[@gary4738]

Nicely done once again!

[@SilverCymbal]

Thank you

[@topgunne12]

i work for the andersons, thanks for showing that spreader!

[@obadiah7771]

I used that seed in my back yard two years a ago and it is beautiful! I also fell in love with the gci tall fescue. Comes in dark!

[@MM-rw8jv]

GCI turf has phenominal seed. I used to exclusively use Jonathan Green Black Beauty, but started to notice clover popping up, which I could only attribute to the seed. Black beauty has a small percentage of "other crop seed" on the label, wheras GCI is pure seed. GCI wins in my book.

[@SilverCymbal]

That is awesome to hear. I haven't tried any of gc stuff yet

[@Mityob67]

@@MM-rw8jv Agree, the GCI seed is the real deal...dark and thick just like you said. They had to change out one of the three fescue types a few years back because the grower stopped growing it, but i think it's even better.

[@domtom010]

These were very specific, time-efficient, and cost efficient instructions, THANK YOU. Coming up on 1yr of buying our 1st home and I'd like to get the lawn (constantly brown all year) up to snuff. I live in Maryland though and was thinking of doing this in early spring. Would that work for my region? If so, when would you suggest I start this? Thank You!

[@marylandsirensfirebuff9664]

I just overseeded mine with the GCI Turf tall fescue! I don't really now if it is growing because my grass is already kind of thick.

[@turd808]

Started watching your videos. Enjoy all the good info. I have a really small yard, tried dethatching, manual aerating, new lawn fertilizer, but haven't used in seed. Just assumed grass will grow, only some spots popped up. I have emerald Zoysia, i believe. Thank you for the vids!

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad they have helped. I got a lot of requests for lawn help without all the machinery so I am glad you like this.

[@kylefay9689]

This is gonna help a lot in the fall

[@vinnypinatelli221]

I'm going to go broke watching your videos lol now I'm going to buy a groundskeeper rake lol thanks for this vid very good

[@SilverCymbal]

You are funny. at least this whole method is cheaper than a lot of other ways to do it. Thanks again

[@seunglee8398]

Great information. Thank you

[@gthyhtujjuk]

Great, great video. Love the simplistic breakdown. As a lawncare professional, my biggest problem with videos like this are that there is no mention that this is a how to for Northern climates and turf types. A highly uneducated person might see this and think it's feasible to try to follow this for say Zoysia or other warm season grasses.

[@jochemr.a.bakker8048]

so, what would you recommend for a southern california lawn, in clay type soil?

[@gregory4154]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

[@shoaib1029]

Thank you so much. You’re always helpful. Thank you again mate.

[@F3AR0FGOD]

This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@raytailor9251]

I don't have a lawn any more, but I wish I did, just to give your method a try. Lol! Great video as always.

[@bymilliebphotography8249]

Your videos are pretty perfect. Everything seems so well thought out, shot & edited. I love how easily you explain everything. You truly give me the confidence i need to tackle my diy projects. I have no idea how videos of this caliber can ever receive a thumbs down! As far as i am concerned your videos are the standard by which i will measure all other diy & home/ yard improvement videos & of course the first channel i will search for topics of interest. Thanks a million for these incredible top quality videos. Just two videos in with incredible content & consistentcy & i am hooked & was compelled to SUBSCRIBE!!! Beyond happy i found you!

[@SilverCymbal]

Wow thank you so much, I really appreciate such a nice comment

[@mikemarinadoherty3364]

Your video is very helpful. U explained exactly what we need to know.

[@patrickscerra8149]

Thank you for the information

[@hectorcoria3650]

Great stuff 👍 Mainard!

[@SilverCymbal]

Thanks 👍

[@jglez4965]

Great job 👍

[@grandtrunk49]

You made that look easy.

[@melfuz]

Haha...that's what I said too.

[@DIGIOVINAZZO]

Omg ,love ur channel!!!!

[@SilverCymbal]

I appreciate that thank you

[@pumas2288]

Thanks for a great ,simple lesson!!!!👍👍👍

[@melfuz]

Wow..great video! Thanks for posting!

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dfields9511]

Some good ideas . Growing grass in shaded areas is difficult especially if it’s Georgia Clay soil.

[@someguy5035]

Same in SC. I have a huge crape myrtle and my Zoysia refuses to grow in the shade. All I get is weeds and crabgrass. Fertilizing doesn't help.

[@kirbyd0g]

Thank you! Your videos are so helpful.

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad you like them! Thank you

[@AA-zs9rt]

I am so glad i found your video..new to ur channel but best explanation.

[@jonathanlance2166]

Very useful video. Thanks for putting it on YT. Question: we have put Scott's Turf Builder on the lawn (it looks like the lawn in this video). Can we now put the grass seeds or should we wait for some time before putting down the grass seeds?

[@sameerahamdan5398]

Thanks for sharing this Video helped me and my lawn 😀

[@Srpug]

Great video. I have multiple small grand kids (2-7 years old) living at home and haven't bothered to overseed in the last few years because I can't keep them off the lawn for the time needed. Naturally, it needs help now and I'm getting to the point that I'm considering doing the work and just hoping for the best. Any advice?

[@arleenralph9120]

Thanks very clear as always

[@BermudaBrian]

Good video! Great explanation of entire process!

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SiegePerilousEsauMaltomite]

I need one of those rakes, I see it as the most likely way I’ll dethatch... Pretty small area so a few ounces of sweat should get it done.

[@jpshowpro8408]

Great video as always, Cheers pal

[@SilverCymbal]

Thanks 👍

[@davidzwisohn5478]

I grew my own back lawn almost 20 years ago. Foolishly, I listened to some friends who said, "don't worry, the grass will come back" after a very dry, hot summer with water restrictions here in NJ. It didn't ... but I'm actually looking forward to this project! ... ONE QUESTION though ... WHERE IS YOUR VIDEO on making your own sprinkler setup? I couldn't find it! .... I bought some Orbit sprinklers, but would much rather use the "in ground, pop-up type mounted on the pipe" setup you show in this video! Thanks in advance!

[@Dubiels]

I’m excited to see your results

[@SilverCymbal]

Me too it looked terrible!

[@noshxhson]

Great video! Question, for how many days/weeks should I water the grass twice a day assuming there is no rain? Thanks!

[@luzimarvieira8978]

I like very much yours videos, keep doing it, help us a lot, homeowners like me. I about this vídeo, I need fix my yard, but I have lots spots with weed,should kill then first, and then should I do detaching before all this steps. I live on south shore, mass thanks

[@samuraioodon]

hi will the starter feed be enough to cover the seeds? or do i need to apply top soil too? thanks

[@sltho]

I have a small lawn (combined ~1700sq ft) full of weeds (90%). Would I need tenacity to renovate? or can I just mow everything down? Thanks for the great content.

[@DavePianist]

Thanks for the quick guide. I can't wait to try it! What type of grass seed did you use? And what type of grass seed would you recommend for soil in Ontario, Canada?

[@delt19]

A progress video to see how this section filled in with the JG Ultra would be great at some point in the future.

[@SilverCymbal]

Absolutely, probably not worth a full video, so I will be sharing clips on my instagram over the next 6 weeks.

[@Chad_KBH]

Thank you for this!

[@robertallen3133]

Fantastic video and channel, thank you.

[@nanao8536]

Can you do this in the Spring?

[@luismedina8746]

Nice work as always. What about laying down few bag of peat moss instead of raking. It creates seeds cover bed.

[@SilverCymbal]

Thank you. Exactly. This is great for a smaller space.

[@delt19]

I just finished an overseeding job on a section of my front lawn at 2200 sq ft and hand spread peat moss. Let me tell you, it was dirty, messy, and probably the most cumbersome of the entire process. Next year, I'm renting a peat moss spreader!

[@frankm2588]

@@delt19 I did it today. I put the peat in a wheelbarrow and use a regular long handled shovel, keep taking big scoops and shake the shovel side to side, various ways, or rock it tilting both ways. Still took a long time on my front. My front is about 1000 sq ft.

[@delt19]

@@frankm2588 consider looking into renting a peat moss spreader (or a compost spreader). It was only around 20$ at my local home depot. I won't do another overseed without it.

[@jonnytse]

If you do want to still plant in the early spring (early April for me, in IL/Midwest), crab grass preventer will also prevent new seedlings from sprouting! Something to keep in mind for us impatient folk who don't want to wait until fall! Good thing I plan on doing this in my backyard, where historically, I haven't had any crab grass/need to lay down grab grass preventer.

[@PsyberMind]

Late reply, since I just found this, but would it be more ideal to do it early spring, due to our lovely(?) Unpredictable weather here in the Midwest (I'm in Iowa, could start snowing as early as October)

[@jonnytse]

@@PsyberMind early spring works fine, just remember about any crab grass preventer with new seeds. Maybe don’t lay down pre-emergent crab grass preventer while you plant early spring, and deal with any crab grass post emergent. Or plant early enough, and lay down some pre-emergent when the new grass has matured some.

[@yzlrelax1]

thanks, this is very helpful

[@HMarco001]

Hey Silver Cymbal, I have a similar lawn area but has a lot of dead grass. Is raking up the dead grass not necessary? Great video!

[@chuti2816]

Thanks for the info we'll explained 👍

[@chaouchrayan]

So nice work 😍❤️👍🏻

[@jimshorts5970]

Set the spreader setting lighter and cross cross for the most even spreading and avoids “striping” when fertilizing.

[@BallPool-yp6rv]

Good tip!

[@anthonytran1618]

Hi silver cymbal, how do you prevent birds and small animals from newly planted grass seed?

[@garyf3470]

Does putting down straw help keep the birds from eating the new grass seed? If so, any hints about using it and cleaning it up?

[@josej-h1471]

I’m in Arlington Texas, when would be a good time to lay down new sod? St agustine grass.

[@nymets621]

Love your videos. What would you recommend for a lawn that has concrete in it? It’s going to be busted up. But then just level everything out with dirt and start laying seed?

[@BenNawrath]

I used some Jonathan green high traffic mix near my front steps, and I’m seeing sprouts on day 5! My GCI tttf is showing in 5 days too.

[@donniereidjr]

Good luck with that Ben. Im using Jonathan G's Fall blend this year. BlackBeauty Ultra is pretty good stuff. My foolishness put out some Quinclorac too soon last year and NONE of my seed germinated. Can you say "that's a great way to waste dough?" LOL

[@BenNawrath]

Donnie Reid ugh I hate that! I used the wrong weed killer earlier this year to zap some nutsedge and it zapped a lot... got the sedge tho!

[@donniereidjr]

Ben Nawrath it’s hard to get a straight answer as to should I buy a stand on or walk behind eXmark. I’m thinking a stand on simply because of the heat Im and my age as I’m growing older.

[@bjh15202]

This is what I needed, but I have packed soil and some thatch buildup. What should I do first? I'm thinking mow short, thatch, then liquid aerating before seeding. How long should I wait after liquid aerating before seeing?

[@ChaseLandMgmt]

Dethatch then mow low to pick up the dead grass you’ve removed. Then aerate, then seed and fert. The thatch you left inhibits good seed to soil contact.

[@vvilliamluk]

once I put the seeds down, can I use the greenwork dethatcher to get the seeds in the soil?

[@MetaBX]

Amazing video. Thank you

[@ZubairKhan-vs8fe]

Thanks. You just reminded me why im paying a small fortune to have the artificial turf installed. Im not doing all of this ever again

[@someguy5035]

Does it make sense to hard tine rake (dethatch) prior to seeding to get ride of the old cut grass and other organic matter so more light and moisture can get to the seed?

[@Whittaz85]

Yes. This is a basic reno tutorial though, bare minimum steps. A full scalp, scarify, core aerate, reseed, top dress, fert and water would yield better results but wouldn’t be as basic.

[@sophyia09]

I have a newly installed so lawn, but some area is dead. Should I roll up the dead sod and renovate on the soil or just do it on the dead sod with dethatching and overseed?

[@Lexo593]

VERY NICE INFORMATIONAL VIDEO! I’ve been helping my sister with her lawn and I needed a cost effective way. While doing this, is it okay to have pets around the lawn?

[@gerry4162]

I noticed there is not much for spruce trees. How do you recommend to combat a lawn battling needles? Would you change anything or add steps from this video? Thanks

[@njo9966]

Do you think that a starter fertilizer 18/22/6 would work? My local gardening center has their own fertilizers that they claim are better suited for out environment (Minneapolis MN).

[@IvetteRomeroiartphotography]

Great video!! I just found it too late 😖. What happens if I do this now? (end of March) I have a very small area. Less than half the area in your video

[@someguy5035]

Only takes 4-6 weeks. You can do it at any time grass will grow.

[@Kay-jk2gi]

I live in WNY area. I was hoping I could do this now (eary April) to get started on reviving my ugly lawn however video says best time is fall. Is there anything I can do now?

[@anthonyr3624]

Thank you

[@uhhh684]

great video !!!! The timer is all i need? i can connect it to my hose and it'll close the line when timer hits zero. Or do i need fittings or something?

[@jay-lm4we]

Seeing the end result would have been nice.

[@DavePianist]

It's at 6:21. Watch the full video.

[@Empty36]

I'm trying to find a groundskeeper 2 rake in Canada but it seems almost impossible, is there an alternative that can be used instead?

[@chrismeader3698]

With all this Anderson’s products you must be in the Midwest lol thanks for the tips I’ll be able to apply this during the fall this year!

[@jeffreycaban5107]

Chris, Silver Cymbal is in the fine State of Massachusetts.

[@jordankreese83]

Would an aerator eliminate the need for raking in a larger lawn?

[@matradlinski8084]

Could the Greenworks dethatcher be used instead of the manual raking?

[@SilverCymbal]

Yes definitely, but if it piles up behind the machine be sure to use the back part of the rake to rake it smooth