• Make sure the old plant debris has been removed from the area.
• Work the soil to break up any clods.
• Check to make sure that your yard is sloped properly.
• Till in soil amendments, if needed, and add starter fertilizer before doing the final grade on the site.
• Several wetting and drying cycles will aid settling and help locate low spots that need filling.
• Do the final grading with a long aluminum rake or a wooden lawn rake.
• Maintain the slope away from the building and make sure the planting site is firm and level.
• Irrigate the site and allow it to settle for 1 week before planting.

Next steps to completely renovating your lawn

Grade the area with a garden rake so that the soil slopes away from the house or building. A slope will allow water to drain away from building foundations or other structures; generally, a 1- to 2-percent slope away from buildings is sufficient. Avoid steep slopes or berms to reduce water waste from runoff.