When spring comes around, people commonly regrow or replenish their lawns using grass seed and fertilizer. However, there’s always the question of which is put first.

Grass seed is very fragile before it settles and develops a root system. Heavy fertilizers could bog down and damage the seeds, preventing them from sprouting.

That is why Gene Caballero, the co-founder of GreenPal, says you should start with grass seed. After three weeks, the grass should have a hardy root system to support a fertilizer.

If you're worried that your seeds won't sprout, use starter fertilizer, which has extra phosphorus to speed up the seed's growth. It can be put at the same time as your grass seed.