How To Sow Grass Seed

The yard you desire is only moments away. It is time to seize the day and labor a lawn worth having. In this article you will discover the best seed for your yard, the tools and products you will need to get your ground ready, and the knowledge of how and when to plant your seeds to ensure a prosperous and thriving yard you will admire for a long time.

STEP 1 CHOOSE YOUR SEED

If you have already chosen which seed you plan to use on your yard, then you may skip this step. If not, there are a few things to take into account before deciding which is best to sow on your land. When speaking of grass types there are two: Cool weather and warm weather grass types. Cool weather grass types include Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and Rye while warm weather grass types consist of Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine. Cool weather grasses are best sown in the late summer to early fall and warm weather grasses are best suited to be sown in the early spring to mid summer. Most all of the grasses listed above work quite well in nearly all of the southeastern United States. Another thing to note is that warm weather grasses are resistant to drought and need less water than cool weather grasses, have wider blades and can be mowed closer to the ground compared to their cooler weather counterparts.

STEP 2 PREPARE YOUR SOIL

Get rid of any patches of existing nuisance grass, large rocks, and any trash. Fill in any holes or ditches in your yard with soil for even distribution of seeds. Use a tiller to loosen up the top 3 inches of topsoil. You can also purchase a soil test kit and measure the pH of your yard. The range should be between 6.0 to 7.0 pH. for optimal potential of germination of the grass seed. The next thing to do is to add a thin layer of topsoil fertilizer and use a rake to work it into the soil.

STEP 3 SEED YOUR YARD

Before seeding your yard, check your local weather to make sure no heavy thunderstorms are forecasted in your area. Too much rain is likely to wash out your efforts to successfully seed your yard and create bald spots or unsightly patches of grass. You can use a hand spreader or a rolling broadcast spreader to disperse the seeds onto your yard. The coverage rates will depend on the seed you use. These recommendations will be on the back of the bag of seed you purchased. Remember that over seeding can cause a rivalry with the germination of the seeds and counteract growth.

STEP 4 SET YOUR SEEDS

To ensure that your seeds have enough soil on top and around them to germinate you can use the flat side of a rake to drag over the top of the soil. Once you've finished that, apply wheat straw over the vicinity of your yard to avert seeds from blowing or washing away. Do not over straw your yard. The seeds will need space for rain and especially sun to reach them, and help with germination.

STEP 5 WATER YOUR GRASS

The most crucial part of sowing seed is watering it. Water, along with the sun will assist the seeds to germinate and grow into the beautiful yard you have always wanted. Whether you use a sprinkler system or a hose, you will need to water your yard around two to three times a day until you see seedling growth of about one inch in height. Then you will need to water it everyday to every other day for roughly two weeks unless you live in a dryer area. It is best to begin by watering your yard in the morning and at random times throughout the day. Do not water your yard at the same time everyday. In doing this you will be imitating weather patterns that are irregular and natural and will help your grass grow thick and strong. Always keep your soil moist to help with germination.

STEP 6 MOW YOUR YARD

After about two weeks you should see sprouts. If not, you may need to reseed your yard. Keep as much foot traffic as you can off it. Two to three months is the time it takes most grass seedlings to germinate, grow and mature into a healthy plant. Once your grass reaches around 3 inches in height, it is generally considered safe to mow.

Congratulations! With all the hard work and time you put in, you can now relax and reap the satisfaction of a beautiful and healthy yard. Your family, friends, and neighbors will be amazed at how luscious and flourishing your lawn looks. All it took was a few simple steps that you followed and now your reward will be there every time you come home from work, or invite company over. Go ahead and pat yourself on the back. You deserve it.