It’s not complicated to grow grass from seed…but as you probably already know, it does take some time to grow! If the time commitment needed to grow grass from seed hasn’t scared you off, you’ll need to know how to plant your seed grass the right way! With these tips and tricks, it’s easy to start planting grass seed!

Planting Grass Seed: Stop Doing It The Wrong Way

Here’s what you’ll need:

–Grass seed (see what kind is recommended in your area)

-lawn spreader (if working in a large area)

–lawn mower (if reseeding an existing yard)

-lawn seed mulch cover 

How To

Tips

Step One for NEW SEEDERS: Work the top two-three inches of soil so it is loose and easily moveable. You will want to remove any sticks, rocks, or hard-to-break clumps of soil. Make sure your grass is adequately leveled so water doesn’t pool in any area around your yard. If left, these could cause damage to your home and your yard. Do not use weed killers on the soil in the weeks before planting seeds. This will affect your outcome. 

Step One for RE-SEEDERS: Use your lawnmower to mow the lawn down–as short as you can get it. In the spots that need reseeding, loosen the top 1/4 inch of soil, removing any sticks, rocks, or large clumps of dirt. Once again, you will want to level off any areas so the water doesn’t pool or collect.

Step Two: Plant your grass seed, by hand if working in a small area. Or, when working in a larger space, use a lawn spreader to cover the area more quickly. You’ll only want to plant approximately 16 seeds per every inch of soil, too many seeds will cause the grass to fight over nutrients. Cover the seed with 1/4 inch of soil, at maximum. This is where many people go wrong, it’s crucial that you do not cover your seed with more than 1/4 inch of soil.

Step Three: Cover your grass seeds with a layer of mulch to keep the seeds protected from damage. As a bonus, the mulch helps retain moisture!

Best Time To Plant

When

Warm-season grasses will grow best in temperatures that range between 75-90 degrees. If you are planting a warm-season grass, wait until late Spring through the early summer, but always make sure to plant after the last frost date.

Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue. Plant these during the cooler weather in fall and Spring. Don’t forget to check out my post on easy tips for a great garden design.