How to Prepare Dirt for Grass Seed

A healthy lawn begins with well-prepared dirt.

A lush and luxurious lawn of grass is the dream of many a homeowner. The quality of the lawn depends on many factors, including the quality of the soil. Whether the soil is predominantly composed of sand or clay and is alkaline or acidic, attention must be made to that composition. With the careful preparation of your dirt before planting grass seed, you'll get a good start to being on your way to a healthy and beautiful lawn.

Things You'll Need

• Soil testing kit
• Shovel
• Rake
• Rototiller
• Organic matter
• Fertilizer
• Lime

Instructions

1. Request a soil testing kit from your county extension agent. Follow the instructions on the kit to determine fertilizer and lime application amounts.

2. Clean the planting area by removing all rocks, large old roots and tree stumps. Use a shovel for small areas and a rototiller for large lawns.

3. Dig dirt to a depth of 6 to 8 inches and add organic matter, which could include peat moss, shredded pine bark, rotted sawdust or leaf mold. As a general rule, add 1 to 3 cubic yards of organic matter for every 1,000 square feet of lawn.

4. Add recommended amounts of fertilizer and lime right before planting time.

5. Smooth and grade the area with a rake.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful not to disturb the live roots of the trees in the lawn area during the grass preparation process.

References

• WalterReeves.com, Lawn -- Soil Preparation