How to put peat on a lawn?

Question:First-time comprehensive care. Northern clime.

This fall I plan to:
-get a univ. extension soil test
-core aerate
-add peat
-overseed
-add amendments, if drastically needed, that the test indicates
-winter fertilize

1) In what order/combination should I do this? My plan was to soil-test in late July, early August; aerate in early September; then spread peat on; overseed; water often; winter fertilize in late October or early November. Still undecided on starter fertilizer during overseeding -- if needed, please advise, including how to space it with the winterizer (previous fertilization was mid-June).

2) With what tool do I "rake in" the peat? Or do I just drop in on the lawn and let it settle with time?

3) Do I mix the peat prior with topsoil and any needed amendments, if for no other reason than to make it go further? [sandy soil; sand not needed]

4) Overseeding done on top of the peat once it's down? Or mixed in with it prior in a wheelbarrow?

Thank you!

Answers:
It sounds like you have a pretty good plan there, To rake in the peat, just use a leaf rake, that will be a little easier that using a garden rake. Just place the peat around the lawn and rake it out using a sweeping motion, kind of like raking leaves in reverse.

You could mix any amendments in with the peat, or just spread them with a broadcast spreader. Depending on how large your lawn is, the broadcast spreader will probably do a better job of spreading them out evenly.

Mixing topsoil in with the peat would be cost effective only if the topsoil is cheaper than the peat. We would just use the peat, as the primary purpose of adding peat is to add organic matter and to increase the water holding capacity of the soil. The peat is raked into the holes created by the core aerator.

Overseed as the last step, again we would use a broadcast spreader for a more even application of seed.

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Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!