Question
If I do B or C, should I add compost? do I need to?  I would think whatever dead weed left will act as compost.  But if I do add more compost, it should only help the lawn grown.  The down side will be it will raise the lawn by couple inches and hurt my wallet, correct?



Previous Question
I live in Quincy, MA.  I am trying to renovation my lawn.  I have spray Roundup and weed/grass is dying now.  Question is what should I do next?

A) Remove all root/dead weed using Sod cutter?
B) Rake root/dead weed before and after rototiller
C) rototille root/dead weed and leave it all in the soil.

Thanks,
-Danny

Answer
I would recommend b or c. (I would think c is fine).

Just make sure you rake smooth. Then water well (or wait for rain) to settle the soil. Then re-rake to even out any hills and valleys which may have formed by the settling soil. Repeat as needed. The more raking, watering and waiting you do, the better a lawn surface you will get.

If you decide to use sod-cutter, you can compost the surface. I don't think this is necerssary and loosing soil before replanting is not a bad idea. My vote is on C) but all are good options.

Answer
If you add a substantial amount of compost, it can help loosen the soil and aerate it. You would need to add a 3-4" layer (30%) which will over time decompose. The benefits are aerated soil, but eventually compost will disappear, too.

I am not always convinced that the work and expense is worth the effort. If you have very heavy soil which will prevent grass from growing, it can help to get a good lawn established, but in most cases grass will grow  almost any type of soil.

I don't think you need to remove the dead grass (it will just decompose) but the "compost" value is negible.