How to Plant Grass Seed

Planting grass seed in your lawn doesn’t have to be difficult, and by familiarizing yourself with the proper procedure it can be easy. Preparing your lawn, selecting the right type of seed, and caring for the seeds until they begin to sprout is all important when planting grass seeds. Read on to learn more about the best way to start a new lawn in your yard.

Prepare your lawn

Preparing your soil for new grass is an important part of ensuring a successful lawn. Before anything else you should perform a pH test, this will tell you whether or not lime or sulfur treatments are required before going forward. Once you have balanced your soil’s pH level you can carry on with planting your new grass seeds.

Before planting you should till your lawn, which requires moving the top six inches of soil around to increase air and water flow as well as remove compaction. When you till, you can add organic materials such as grass clippings, topsoil and compost. Adding these organic materials is a great way to pack your yard’s soil full of the nutrients that new grass plants require.

Select a grass seed

There are dozens of varieties of grass seeds on the market, some of which are better for your lawn than others. In order to select the right type of seed you must first research the local conditions that affect your yard. The factors include soil type, average temperatures, the amount of time you have to devote to your lawn’s care and pests, weeds and lawn diseases that are present in your area.

Locating all of this information can seem overwhelming, but if you know where to look it can be easy. Local almanacs and lawn care experts can point you in the right direction, and so can the advice of your neighbors. If you have a neighbor with a successful lawn they can be a great place to start, because the odds are that the same seeds will thrive in your own yard.

Plant

Once you’ve prepared your soil and selected a seed it is time to plant your new grass. This process involves spreading seeds throughout your lawn and then covering them to protect them from floating away with rainfall. Seeds can be spread by hand, but there are many tools that are commercially available to ensure that seeds are evenly distributed throughout your soil. Some of these tools can be very expensive, and since most homeowners rarely plant new grass it may be beneficial to rent these tools instead of buying. There are many options for covering your seeds, including straw, hay and mulch.

Aftercare

Your new grass seeds will be very vulnerable following planting, and it is essential that you follow proper aftercare procedures in order for your new grass to thrive. The topcoat of hay or mulch protects your seeds from washing away, but it is also very important that you water frequently and avoid stepping on your lawn at all costs. You may find it necessary to create a barrier at the edge of your yard to prevent passersby from inadvertently ruining your new crop.

In order for your grass seeds to successfully sprout they must be watered frequently, but too much water could cause the seeds to move. A good rule of thumb is to water enough that your soil remains moist at all times, but never apply so much water that the ground becomes soggy. Once the majority of the seeds have sprouted and grown a few inches in height you can begin to care for your new lawn as normal.

TruGreen will gladly visit your property as often as needed between scheduled visits to make any necessary adjustments and to ensure your satisfaction.

Getting Started with TruGreen

  1. Call or fill out the form above to reach a lawn care specialist.
  2. Know the square footage of your yard, as well as any specific areas of concern.
  3. With the help of your specialist, create a customized lawn care plan that meets your lawn’s needs.
  4. Schedule your Healthy Lawn Analysis2 to start your service.