Tips For Growing A Lawn From Seed

If your lawn has several bare spots and is overrun with weeds, then you may be looking for ways to make it lush and green. Putting in new sod is one solution, but it can be expensive. A better choice could be to start your lawn over and grow grass from seed. Here are a few things to know.

Visit Your County Extension Office

A trip to your county extension office could be in order to have your soil tested and to get advice on the best type of grass to grow in your local area. There are several varieties of grass and choosing the right one will make the difference between success and failure of your lawn. In addition to considering your local climate, also think about the amount of shade in your yard and the type of soil you have. Having your soil tested helps you understand its composition so you can add treatments that help the grass seeds grow.

Start With Bare Soil

If your lawn is currently free of weeds but it has bare patches, then you may try adding new grass seed without removing the old grass. If your lawn is mostly weeds, then removing the current layer of growth is a good idea. You can use a shovel or sod cutter to remove the lawn at the roots. Avoid using lawn treatments to kill the weeds instead, or the weed killer might interfere with the growth of the seeds.

Once the weeds and grass are removed, rake the soil to remove rocks, roots, and soil clumps. Also, level the soil as you work so there are no valleys to collect water when it rains. As you work the soil, it's a good time to add in amendments if they're needed. These soil treatments can add nutrients, alter the pH of the soil, or help the soil retain water.

Use A Seed Spreader

Unless you're sowing seeds in a small area to fill a bare patch, you'll need to use a seed spreader. This device spreads the seeds evenly on your lawn since this is hard to control by hand. If you plant seeds too close together they compete for soil nutrients and the grass isn't healthy or strong when it comes in. If the seeds are too far apart your lawn won't be a thick and lush carpet of grass. A spreader ensures the seeds are spread properly and it makes the job of sowing easier too.

Feed The Seeds And Water Them Regularly

New grass seed needs nutrients and water. Apply fertilizer right before or right after you plant the seeds so they have all the food needed to get a healthy start. Water the seeds when they're planted and at least daily after that. Don't soak the soil until the roots take hold or the seeds could float away. Apply a thin layer of soil or mulch on top of the seeds to help hold them in place and hold in moisture.

It's important to read the instructions on the grass seed you buy and on fertilizer and other amendments you use. Different products have different procedures and you want to follow instructions on the bag carefully so your lawn gets off to a healthy start.