How to Grow Blades of Grass

Grass is often tricky to grow.

Most anyone who has a yard wants it to feature grass. Grass makes your home look comfortable and enhances the appearance of its surroundings. Many homeowners have have difficulty growing the green blades. A variety of grasses are available, including ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. If you've tried to grow grass before without success, keep trying. It may be possible with the right technique.

Things You'll Need

• Aerator
• Drainage pipes
• Subsoil
• Seed
• Seed spreader
• Straw or
• Cheesecloth

Instructions

1. Prepare the soil. Aerating will likely improve the quality of the soil and allow grass to grow. Supply adequate drainage opportunities if your grass drains poorly. For instance, installing drainage pipes or subsoil can greatly improve the draining capabilities of the soil. The seeds won't grow if there is too must moisture in the soil.

2. Pour seed into a seed spreader and set the dial according to the specifications on the package. In general, 4 lbs. of grass should be used for 1,000 square feet of lawn, but , the measurement may vary by grass type. Walk back and forth over your lawn in even lines to spread the seed. Walk at a steady pace to ensure the same amount of seed is distributed throughout your lawn.

3. Cover your seed, if necessary. Large seeds, such as rye and chewnings fescue, must be covered with soil in order to germinate. Smaller seeds typically do well when on top of the soil or slightly dusted with soil, depending on the variety. A light covering of straw or cheesecloth keeps the seeds close to the ground and prevents them from being washed away during the rain if on a slope. Keep the covering on the seeds until the grass starts to sprout.

4. Water a newly seeded lawn whenever the soil begins to dry out. Use a hose or a sprinkler system to moisten the soil. Avoid saturating the soil, which can wash away the seeds and prevent proper growth of those that remain.

Tips & Warnings

• Most grass needs at least four hours of sun daily. Choose a grass that will do well with the amount of sun your lawn receives.

• Mow your lawn when the grass has grown 2 inches tall. This will prevent any other established grasses from growing taller than the seedlings and robbing them of much needed sunshine.

References

• Plant-Care: Guide to Sowing Lawn Grass Seed
• Danny Lipford; How to Grow Grass in the Shade; Julie Day