How to Lay a Lawn From Seed

Start a lawn from seed by preparing the soil first.

Planting a new lawn from seed may seem like an overwhelming job. To have a successful lush lawn you need to prepare the soil. Using compost to nourish the soil provides a stable foundation in which to sow the grass seed. Purchase mixed grass seed or take a soil sample to your soil and conservation department to determine the type of soil you have. A lawn and garden professional can then tell you the correct grass seed for your soil type.

Things You'll Need

• Tiller
• Garden rake
• Garden spade
• Compost
• Grass seed
• Grass seed dropper
• Garden hose
• Straw

Instructions

1. Till the entire area where you will be planting grass seeds. This loosens the soil providing better seed adherence.

2. Remove rocks or roots from the area after tilling with a garden rake or spade. Run the garden rake over the ground, smoothing the soil.

3. Sprinkle compost over the ground and work into the soil with a garden rake. The compost provides nourishment to the soil.

4. Place grass seed in a grass seed dropper and walk back and forth over the lawn area while dropping the seeds. Seed the lawn generously.

5. Water the seeds with a fine mist from the garden hose. Applying a fine mist of water to the seeds prevent them from running off with a hard stream of water. Saturate the ground thoroughly.

6. Apply a layer of straw over the newly sown seed. The straw prevents birds from eating the seed and keeps moisture in the soil.

7. Water the seeds every day for the first week. Remove the straw when you see tender green shoots sprouting through the straw.

References

• Home Depot Gardening Club: Starting a New Lawn