How To Prepare Lawn For Seeding

How To Grow A New Lawn From Grass Seed

Planting grass seed is the best way to grow a lawn; it allows you to choose the best grass seed species to suit your garden and soil type.

These 10 simple steps show the best way to grow grass helping you to create that perfect lawn:

Step 1 – Clear the area

Prepare the soil for grass seed by clearing the area and removing any large stones, weeds and other debris.

Step 2 – Improve the soil

It’s easier to fix soil problems before your new lawn is in place. For clay soils, mix in sharp sand to aid drainage and composition. Cultivate the soil to a depth of 15cm to aerate the soil and break up compaction. This creates better drainage and aids nutrient distribution. Remove any further debris which is unearthed.

Step 3 – Create a level seed bed

Rake the area, then level the surface. This can be done by dragging a straight edge, in different directions across the surface. Then use a lawn roller to firm the soil so that it is possible to stand on the surface without leaving imprints.

Step 4 – Allow the soil to settle

Step 5 – Final ground preparation

Lightly work the surface with a rake to create a fine tilth. Adding a Pre-seeding Lawn Fertiliser ensures the soil contains all of the nutrients required for grass seed to develop healthily.

Step 6 – Buy your grass seed

It’s important to buy the best grass seed for your soil type and situation – our handy guide on which grass seed is best will help you figure out which seed is most suitable.

How Often To Water Grass Seed After Planting

Water newly planted grass seed daily if the weather is over 80 degrees F. Every other day is a good watering schedule if temperatures are cooler. Prior to germination, wet the top inch or so of soil. But, once the grass seed germinates and begins to grow, reduce the frequency of irrigation but water more deeply. Once your new grass is about two inches tall, reduce your watering schedule to once or twice a week, but water until the ground is wet down to a depth of about three inches.

Once grass is fully established, stop irrigation all together, unless theres a prolonged period of drought. When it comes to watering established lawns, its always better to water less frequently but very deeply. Always water lawn in the morning, if possible, to reduce the chance of fungal disease issues.

Seeded Lawn Care Tips

Once the lawn is seeded, youll do best to follow a few important seeded lawn care tips. The first is to mulch the seeded lawn lightly with straw. Cover about 75% of the ground. A light layer of straw holds in moisture and prevents the seeds from blowing away.

Irrigation is also very important. Keep the soil damp at all times, but never provide sufficient water to wash away the grass seeds. Different types of grass seeds require different amounts of irrigation.

For example, a seeded Bermuda grass lawn must be lightly watered three or four times a day. On the other hand, perennial rye seeds need water twice a day. It may be necessary to water with the hose until the seeds germinate.

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How To Plant A New Lawn From Seed

The least expensive way to start a lawn is by seed. Starting a lawn from seed is a snap, especially on an area that is relatively flat. The biggest task is preparing the site and making sure the soil is of good quality. Choosing the right seed is a matter of looking at your yard and your climate. In general there are two broad types of grass: cool season and warm season, each named for the climate and temperature in which it grows best. If you are in a definite warm or cool climate, you can zero in on the grass that will work best for you.

Lawn Roller

How To Level And Seed A Lawn

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Making a level lawn area is simple although does require some physical effort for the initial digging. Once the area has been dug over, the rest of the procedure is straightforward and easy.

It is wise to wait several weeks before seeding a newly graded area, especially if a lot of filling has been done, because the soil will settle and may form hollows. Any hollows that form must be filled and allowed to settle again or tramped down to ensure that the area is fairly level. To hasten the soil settling, give it a thorough and deep soaking with the hose.XTrustworthy SourceRoyal Horticultural SocietyLeading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plantsGo to source

Sowing seed when making a lawn is likely result in patchy stands of grass unless it is done systematically. See how best to do this below.

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How To Prepare Lawns For Reseeding

If the grass is thinning on your lawn or it has become diseased or brown then you may wish to reseed your lawn. This is less expensive than relaying a new lawn. However before you reseed, you will need to prepare the lawn. This handy guide will show you how. Bear in mind that the best time of year to seed your lawn is fall. This is because the seed will have the chance to accumulate the necessary nutrients it needs over the winter period before the grass grows through in the spring.

Step 1 Rake the Lawn

You should begin by raking over the existing lawn with a heavy duty rake. You will also be raking away any debris that is covering the lawn such as leaves. Remove and compost any debris that you have removed. If there are any bare spots in the lawn, these will now be clearly visible.;

Step 2 – Loosening the Soil

You should then use the cultivator to loosen the soil in any bare patches to a depth of about 1 inch. However if the soil has been particularly compacted over time, loosen it to around 5 inches, allowing the air in. If you don’t have access to a cultivator, you should be able to do this with a spade. For compacted soil, add a few handfuls of gypsum or peat moss. This will keep the soil loose in the future.;

Step 3 Fertilizing the Lawn

Step 4 Choosing Your Seed

You will need to then sow the grass seeds into the bare patches. Grass seed should be scattered at 15 to 25 gms per square meter if you haven’t been advised otherwise.;

When Do I Reseed My Lawn

For cool season grass, the best time of year to reseed your lawn is spring or fall. Both seasons offer benefits for perfect results.Reseeding at the end of spring ensures that cool season grass seed will have enough time to establish before the cold weather sets in. Reseeding in the fall means less risk of weeds, but the soil will still be warm.

Rake & Till Your Lawn

Fertilize

Using a spreader, fertilize what remains of the lawn. It is best to use a starter fertilizer because it has the proper nutrients that grass seeds need to germinate and grow quickly.

Note: Always follow the manufacturers instructions for proper spread rate for a new lawn.

Spread Grass Seeds

Add Mulch

Water Your New Lawn

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Choosing Your Grass Seed

There are a whole host of grass seeds available depending on your garden and your needs. If you are looking to create a whole new lawn from scratch, the Gardeners Dream General Purpose Premium Quality Garden Lawn Grass Seed is a fabulous all-rounder. If you are creating a lawn in an especially shaded area, chose a specialist option such as the Gardeners Dream Shady Lawn Dark Area Under Trees Quality Assured Grass Seed.

Of course, there are a whole host of options available to suit a variety of lawns explore the full lawn seed collection at Gardeners Dream to find the perfect one for you.

How To Prepare The Ground

After removing all stones and other rubbish from the lawn area, you must prepare the ground. This, too, is very important. Although it means hard work and physical exercise, the basic fact of life is that the better you prepare the seedbed, the better your lawn will be. It is best to dig the area over as deep as you can; there really is no substitute for this. Good drainage is important and deep digging will help.

Whilst digging, this is the time to get your soil structure right. If the soil is heavy, or clay-like, then work in plenty of peat and sharp sand. Also, if you can get some good loamy topsoil this too will help to break up the heavy texture.

If, on the other hand, the soil is light or sandy, work in a good amount of peat to give body to the soil and prevent drying out and loss of nutrients.

Also, at this stage, any leveling or sloping should be done, although you should take care not to take too much topsoil from any one area. Sub-soil does not make for a good seedbed; it is low in nutrients and will give variations in growing habit and colour.

One point to remember is that it is essential to get a level surface. A lawn that has bumps and hollows does not look anything like one that is level. One idea is to get a plank about 2 metres long, put some weights on it -such as a few bricks- attach a rope to each end, then pull it behind you, round and round the area, until you are happy that it is level.

Lawn categories

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How Are Grass Seeds Planted Prepare The Ground

The process of preparing the soil before planting grass seeds consists of several stages. It is essential for grass growth. The first thing to do is to reorder the site. You should pick up the scraps and rubbish left on it and do the weeding. All of these factors could affect the acidity of the soil and affect the growth of grass seeds.

Another step in the soil preparation process is breaking up the soil and checking its acidity. For best results, the soil should be fertile, airy, and moderate in humidity.

Be sure to fertilize the soil for a week before planting the grass seed. To do this, use a starter or universal fertilizer. You can buy both at a garden center. Mix it with the soil according to the manufacturers instructions.

The last but equally important step in preparing the soil before planting the grass seed is rolling the earth. It helps to even out the surface to be produced and thickens the ground.

Planting A Lawn With Sod

Sodding can give you an “instant lawn,” though it’s costlier than seeding or plugging.

Start by clearing any debris from the site and leveling the soil. When your sod is delivered, check to see that it’s healthy and problem free. Lay your sod within twenty-four hours of delivery, and lightly irrigate the soil just before you begin. Fit the squares tightly against one another in a staggered fashion, cutting them if needed.

Proper watering is essential for your new lawn’s survival. Provide light but frequent waterings for the first two to three weeks, so that the soil stays moist but not overly wet. Once the sod is firmly rooted, you can taper off on watering.

Wait three to four weeks before you mow, and thirty to sixty days before you fertilize.

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Aerate Your Lawn Before You Overseed

If you are trying to bring your lawn back to life and want a fuller and healthier turf, you probably already know about overseeding.

Still, many people dont realize that aerating the lawn prior to overseeding is a win-win. I recommend it to nearly every homeowner hoping to improve their yards appearance!

Step-by-Step

• Step 1: Provide enough water to the soil as this makes aeration easier. Rain can do the job for you. If not, water the lawn a day before you plan to aerate your yard.
• Step 2: Get to know your aeration machine and its limitations. Some will only cover portions of the lawn so you may need to pass over the same area several times.
• Step 3: Sometimes you will encounter soil plugs as you are passing the aeration machine. While it is easy to ignore these, dont. Instead, break up these clumps of soil to ensure aeration can be more uniform.

You cannot aerate your lawn properly without machinery, especially an existing large patch of turf. There are three different types of aeration machines available:

If you plan to overseed following aeration, I recommend that you mow your lawn pretty short prior to beginning these renovations. This will prevent your existing grass from growing too tall too quickly .

Return To Regular Maintenance

Keep your newly revived lawn looking its best with a regular, comprehensive maintenance plan that includes diligent watering, best mowing practices;and proactive overseeding. A simple weekday lawn maintenance schedule can keep your lawn lush and your weekends free.

For a simple, all-in-one approach to a thicker lawn, you can put your lawn on the fast track with Pennington Lawn Booster. This easy-to-use product simplifies overseeding to give your lawn the boost it needs. In just one application, your lawn will grow quicker, thicker and greener than ordinary grassguaranteed.

Available in formulas for sun & shade or tall fescue lawns, Lawn Booster combines three essentials: seed, fertilizer and soil enhancer. Lime-enhanced, pure-bred Pennington Smart Seed, backed by years of breeding and research, adds beauty and sustainability. Once established, these water-conserving grasses require up to 30 percent less water than ordinary grasses. That’s year after year, for the life of your lawn. Plus, they stay green up to three weeks without watering. That means less work and more leisure time for you.

For the lawn of your dreams, don’t wait to overseed until your lawn looks less than its best. Give your lawn the boost it needs, step-by-step or all-in-one. Pennington’s here with premium grass seed and lawn care products to help you keep your lawn at its peak.

Pennington, One Step Complete, Smart Seed, and Ultragreen are trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.

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Mow And Care For The New Grass

Continue watering up to three times per day to keep the soil moist until the new grass is ready to mow: about 4 inches tall, or as recommended on the seed packaging. Mow the grass to no less than 3 inches in height . Make sure the grass gets plenty of water until it has grown enough to need three mowings. From that point on, water the grass with the normal schedule for the area, the current weather, and the type of grass. It’s also a good idea to pull new weeds as they emerge to prevent them from spreading.

How To Overseed A Lawn

This article was co-authored by Jeremy Yamaguchi. Jeremy Yamaguchi is a Lawn Care Specialist and the Founder/CEO of Lawn Love, a digital marketplace for lawn care and gardening services. Jeremy provides instant satellite quotes and can coordinate service from a smartphone or web browser. The company has raised funding from notable investors like Y Combinator, Joe Montana, Alexis Ohanian, Barbara Corcoran and others.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 93% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 692,705 times.

Overseeding is one of the most important tasks involved in growing a healthy, lush lawn. While fertilizing your lawn is important, grass plants slow down their rates of reproduction after a few years. Over time, lawns that have not been overseeded will grow thin and unhealthy, making it much easier for weeds to overtake the lawn. Overseeding can be time-consuming if you have a large lawn, but it is not difficult, and the results are well worth it the effort.

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Preparing A Lawn For The Planting Of Grass Seed

Preparing a new lawn for grass seed is a bit of work, but its not that difficult to do successfully if you are armed with just a bit of basic information.

A few basics that you must get right

• The area has to be properly graded before you start.
• Its best if you have a few lawn installation tools to make the job easier.
• You use a good blend of grass seed.
• You pay close attention to what cover you use and why.

Pam and I recently built a new house, you know, all one floor, no steps.

I tell people that we built a convalescent home.

Wide hallways, grab bars in the bathroom.

The lot that we chose to build on is quite small, just enough room for the house really.

And a little bit of lawn.

We needed something easy to care for, we have plenty to do at Mikes Plant Farm.

And the new place is only about 2 minutes from the nursery which is really nice.

We hired contractors to do most of the construction but when it came the lawn and the landscape I just wasnt going to pay that kind of money to do something I could do myself.

I have a tractor so I was able to do most of the final grading myself and with a 3 point hitch tiller on the back of the tractor I was able to loosen the hard packed soil around the house, level it, then we still needed to hand rake the entire area.

Topsoil?

I first started installing lawns back in 1974 and back in the day we never trucked in topsoil to make a lawn.

We quite simply worked with whatever soil was there. And it worked!

Please note!