How do I seed my lawn?

Step 1... Prepare the site

Your lawn area should already be graded or tilled and the final level smooth surface should have been obtained. If not, now is the time to remove hills and depressions so that you have a nice smooth lawn for years to come.

Step 2... Planting

You can rent a commercial grass seeder, use a broadcast fertilizer spreader or sow the seeds by hand (not recommended). Set the seeder for the correct seed application rate. Remember, you can always seed a second or third time but it's pretty hard to pick up the seed you broadcast if you only planted 1/3 of your lawn and ran out of seed.

We suggest you use a 2-step PLANTING process. Divide your seed into two equal quantities. Set your seeder rate so that you will cover the entire lawn with 1/2 of the total seed. If broadcasting, you'll need to determine how far the seeder is throwing the seed as you walk. Apply the seed in a pattern that allows overlapping coverage of all areas. Most seeders come with instructions that explain this planting principal.

Plant the first half of the seed walking in one direction with your seeder. Then plant the second half of the seed walking in a direction perpendicular to the first pass. This double spreading provides for a more uniform broadcasting of your seeds and also insures that you get complete coverage. Always sow lawn seeds at the recommended rates. Good quality lawns require lots of seeds in order to achieve the correct plant density. You will save very little money by cheating on the quantity of seeds to plant.

Step 3... Rake it in

Once your seeds are sowed, rake or drag the seeded area, so that as many of the seeds as possible are lightly covered (1/4 inch is an ideal covering for grasses). You can drag the lawn with a harrow or a piece of chain link fencing behind a mower, ATV, tractor or just by hand. This should cover your grass seed adequately. Not every seed will be covered by these methods, but a large quantity of them will. Over time soil and wind action will help cover even more. It's also a good idea to apply a starter fertilizer to the newly seeded area at this time.

Step 4... Water, water, water

Water the lawn area you have planted on a regular basis. Frequent light waterings throughout the day work best... unless it's raining, of course. The key is to keep the soil moist (but not underwater) at all times, particularly once the seed begins to germinate. After the seed sprouts and grass begins to emerge you must not allow the soil to dry out for any longer than 24 hours. Seedlings can die quickly without water.

Now that you have the lawn planted and wet it doesn't mean you can go on vacation. There are still necessary procedures to observe until your lawn gets to the "adult" stage. If you did everything right up to now you're on the right track to a beautiful lawn.

Continue watering your newly seeded lawn daily. For the seeds to germinate it takes water and time. Be patient. Most grass seeds take anywhere from 7 days to 20 days to germinate if conditions are right. The right conditions are generally warm soil temperatures and adequate moisture.

Many people plant their lawn and then a week later ask, "Why don't I have a lawn yet?" Be patient. The little living seeds must first decide that conditions are right to begin their growth process. Some grass seeds can last months or even years in the soil before beginning this process. And when they do emerge they will be little, baby plants. As such their root and leaf systems aren't developed enough to handle severe stresses in the beginning. Just like people, grass plants need time to develop.

After about 1 week (fescue) to 2 weeks (bluegrass) you should be able to get down on your hand and knees and see many of the little sprouting grass plants. They will be tiny, needle-like leaves sticking mostly straight up out of the soil. It will look a bit like green hair. These little plants will be spread amongst the many weeds that also will have germinated from the soil. But keep the new grass moist and eventually it should be vigorous enough to crowd out the weeds.

Enjoy your new lawn!