How to Put in a New Lawn

Sometimes an existing lawn is beyond repair, and putting in a new one is the only option. Lawns overrun by a variety of weeds, with poor and uneven soil can be more work to repair than simply starting fresh. Although most landscaping companies provide this type of service, putting in a new lawn yourself can be a money saving and rewarding project.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Total vegetation kill, like Round-Up
• Rototiller
• Soil testing kit and enhancers as needed
• Sturdy gloves
• Garden rake
• Appropriate grass seed mixture for your area
• Fertilizer

Remove Existing Lawn

1. Decide whether you need to replace an area of your lawn or the entire thing. Sometimes replacing the worst area and dealing with the rest through good fertilizing and weed killing is a good option.

2. Mark the area with a total vegetation kill product. When doing the entire lawn, use product only on existing weeds. This will kill all the way to the root, leaving no chance for reseeding.

3. Use a rototiller to loosen the existing vegetation. You can rent this machine from a tool rental or home improvement store. You may need to do this several times to get it all.

4. Rake up loosened vegetation and discard. Do not reuse grass from troubled lawns for spot repair.

5. Till again, going deep into soil to make it soft and pliable.

Prepare and Plant

6. Test soil with a soil test kit available at any local garden center. You can also send soil away for free testing through your local farm extension.

7. Add soil enhancers and till into soil. Rake area and using back of garden rake for final smoothing.

8. Choose a good starter fertilizer like Scotts Brand Starter Fertilizer. Spread on with broadcast spreader at rate indicated on bag.

9. Use the same broadcast spreader to spread grass seed. A mix of blue, perennial rye and fescue grass seed makes a healthy lawn.

10. Cover grass seed with soil about ¼ inch deep. Cover newly seeded lawn with hay to keep grass seed in place.

11. Keep newly planted grass moist by watering daily.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep this job simple by using premixed grass seed. Choose a good brand like Scotts and spread at the rate indicated on the package.
• Follow directions carefully when using vegetation kill products. Don't plant new seed too soon.
• Consider removing the old lawn in the fall and planting a crop of winter rye to be tilled under in the spring. This breaks up the project a bit and allows for extra nourishment of the soil.
• Never use heavy lawn and garden equipment or pesticides without proper eye and ear protection.