A Few Basic Tips on How to Seed a New Lawn

By gardener | Jul 1, 2009

They say that only landscapers, gardeners and professional lawn contractors can till and sow a lawn. But dont hang your hat yet because here are some basic tips on how to seed a new lawn.

1. Prep up your lawns soil by removing all the unwanted debris, plant material, roots from previous grass and weeds. Make sure your soil is free from unnecessary things that can harm and interfere with the seeding process.

Don’t over work your soil to keep the clusters of soil from breaking down. This will help avoid the soil from drying up and from crusting after watering.

Add soil amendments only when needed and choose only the best type for your type of soil.

2. Level the soil by using good old rakes and garden tools. Use power tools only if needed.

3. Sow and fertilize the soil in the same day. This will help boost the growth of the seeds. There are many commercially available fertilizers to choose from and you can ask your local store to help you pick the best brand.

4. Cover the seeds with less than an inch of soil. This will help the seeds to breathe and to absorb just enough water. You can also use mulching to reduce watering and to promote healthier seed germination.

5. Youd rather water often with only enough water to keep the soil moist than water heavily and deeply. Watering the soil deeply and heavily will drown the seeds and prevent them from germinating properly. Drowning causes the seeds to rot and uneven grass growth.

If you have a timed sprinkler, use it to water your seeded loan; a few times within the day with only enough water to keep the soil cool and moist. Keep doing this until the seeds have germinated properly up to the point were the seedlings have grown and established.

6. Avoid using herbicides and other chemicals during the critical period of seeding. Young grass roots may die if herbicide is applied.

7. Avoid mowing the young grass. Let the grass grow up to 3 to 4 inches in length and make sure the mower blades are sharp.

It takes time for the seeds to germinate and grow into full grass. Just have patience and make sure to follow these simple tips on how to seed a new lawn. You may find that seeding a new lawn requires time and effort, but in the long run, you will see how healthier and greener it is on your side of the fence.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!