How to Plant Grass Seeds For A Stunning Lawn
The perfect, jealousy inducing lawn will come from planting the right lawn seed at the right time. Preparation is essential, and in most climates, the best time to plant is in Spring or early Fall.
Some people will test the soil, but unless you are new to the area this is probably not necessary. How to plant grass seed is an often asked question and there is nothing nicer than a well-maintained lawn for curb appeal, so take note!
How to Plant Your Grass Seeds
Choose a grass seed that is right for your climate and location. If it gets a lot of foot traffic you will require a hardy variety. Soil preparation is extremely important and if you are new to the area test your soil by buying a basic soil testing kit at your local hardware store or nursery.
Ideal soil PH is between 6 and 7. Preparing the soil takes a while especially if there has never been a lawn there before, so you will need to dig out any rubble and add several bags of soil.
Seeding Your Lawn
If you have access to a lawn roller, flatten the area as much as possible, and it may be worth buying a lightweight roller that will sow the seeds as well. To give your lawn seeds the right start in life you can feed your lawn on the same day as you seed it, but you need to use lawn food for new grass.
When you are sowing the seeds, apply to the perimeter first, and make sure that you get fairly even coverage. When you have laid the lawn food and grass seed, cover them both with a light layer of topsoil, to stop seeds from drying out, or being eaten by the birds.
You can roll the lawn again to press the seed into the Earth. Then it is important to start watering, and the aim is to keep the top inch of the soil moist but not soggy. When the seeds start to germinate, keep the top two inches of lawn moist until established.
What To Do If Your Lawn Develops Holes Or Patches
If you have planted your lawn in Fall, sometimes chilly Winter weather can present a challenge for new grass. In Winter, holes and bald patches may develop on your lawn. You may not want to replant the whole lawn, so it is best to fill the holes with a mixture of two parts topsoil and two parts sand, and one part compost.
Place more soil across the top, and rake with a sturdy rake. This will nourish your lawn, and you will need to plant more lawn seed over these spots. Once you know that the coldest of Winter is over, it will be time to fertilize the lawn again, and with a bit of care, it will look better than ever.
Tips For Maintaining Your New Lawn
Once your new lawn reaches a mowing height of at least 3 to 4 inches, you’ll want to cut it, but don’t make the mistake of cutting it too short. Just take about half an inch of grass off the top, because if you make it too short it could die.
During this time avoid foot traffic on your new lawn, and also keep dogs off of it, just until it is properly established and hardier. You can then fertilize it again, and keep watering it as the weather gets warmer, and once Summer comes, you can allow kids and pets to walk on it.
Conclusion
Planting grass seed is an art worth cultivating, and once you’re successful you’ll understand just how fulfilling it can be. Creating a living, growing lawn is worth doing, and makes the house look so much better.
If the task seems to daunting for you to handle, feel free to give our lawn service experts a call to help. We have decades of experience in planting and maintaining lush lawns.
Our lawn service will guarantee the best lawn on your block, with minimal effort needed by you to have a beautiful lawn all year long!