How to Start a New Lawn From Seed

If you have just moved into a new home--or your existing lawn is so bad you just want to start over again--you have a couple of choices. You can start your new lawn using sod and just lay it down (green side up) or you can go right back to basics and start from seed. Starting from seed will cost you less, while giving you more choice in the plants you incorporate in your lawn--but it will require some more work and take time. Here are some ideas on starting a new lawn from seed

Things You'll Need

• Rotary tiller
• Soil test kit
• Top soil
• Soil amendments
• Seeds
• Seed spreader
• Lawn roller
• Watering system/hose

Instructions

1. Consider the best time to plant a new lawn is just before the grass's best growing season. For cool season grasses the absolute best time to plant is late summer or early fall. This gives the seeds time to get well established before the cold weather rolls in. Planting cool season grasses in spring is also fine, as long as you plant early enough for the seeds to become established before the heat of summer. Warm season grasses prosper when they are planted in late spring, just in time for summer's heat. Choose the grass seeds to match the climatic conditions where you live.

2. Test your soil to find out what the pH is and whether it is acidic or basic. Grass grows best in soil with a pH around 7, so you may need to add some lime to your soil to make it less acidic or add some organic matter to make it less basic.

3. Spread a layer of fresh top soil about 2 inches deep (as well as any soil amendments needed), then use your rotary tiller to dig it in and loosen the soil in the lawn.

4. After tilling the yard, put your seeds into a seed spreader (be sure to read and follow directions on the seed packaging regarding the proper settings to use on your seed spreader).

5. Spread the seeds by walking back and forth in a horizontal direction, then going back over your lawn back and forth in a vertical direction. Doing this will ensure you don't miss any areas and leave a bare spot.

6. Gently rake the new seeds into the loose soil or cover your new lawn with a thin layer of top soil (about a half inch).

7. Using a roller half filled with water, roll your entire lawn to be sure there is good contact between the seeds and the soil.

8. After rolling you need to water your new lawn on a regular basis to help the seeds get a good start in life. Water gently the first few times you do this (so as not to disturb the seeds) and be sure the soil is wet down 6 to 8 inches. After that first watering, you need to keep the top inch or so damp for the first week or so, to be sure the seeds don't dry out. This may mean you will need to sprinkle your entire lawn a few times a day.

9. Wait patiently for your new grass to emerge, and don't walk on your new lawn until the grass at least 1 inch high.

Tips & Warnings

• Rotary tillers, seed spreaders and lawn rollers can usually be rented at home stores.

• Wait until your new lawn is about 3 to 4 inches high before mowing. Let the soil get relatively dry before you mow it to avoid disturbing the new soil.

• Fertilize your lawn after about 6 to 8 weeks to ensure it will continue to grow and prosper.

• An alternative to traditional grass seeds you might consider are other types of ground cover such as clover or Fescue grasses, which are hardy and don't require as much water as traditional lawn grasses (e.g. Kentucky blue). As an added bonus, you don't need to mow clover.