Why Roll Grass Seed?

Get your new lawn off to a good start by rolling the seed bed.

A healthy lawn provides higher property values, better water and air quality around your home, and a place to play. When establishing a new lawn, rolling the seed bed is an important step in the process.

Roller Types

Lawn rollers are hollow drums that are filled with water. Adjusting the amount of water affects the weight of the roller. Rollers can be hand-pushed or may be attached to a tractor for large or sloping areas.

Benefits

Seeds need contact with the soil in order to grow properly; seedling development is poor in loose soil. Using a roller on a newly seeded lawn ensures this contact, improving germination. Rolling also firms the soil surface and eliminates rough areas.

Procedure

After gently raking the grass seed into the top 1/4 inch of soil, roll the seed bed with a lawn roller. Use a roller half full of water.

References

• Cornell University; Why Lawns Matter; 2006
• The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture; Mowing, Dethatching, Coring, and Rolling Kentucky Lawns; A. J. Powell Jr.
• Oklahoma Turfgrass Science: Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma
• Washington State University Whatcom County Extension: Lawn Care