If your home needs a complete reworking of the lawn, you may need to plant grass seeds from scratch. While starting grass from a seed may seem intimidating, the worst aspect is growth time. Fortunately, grass is relatively hardy and easy to grow, but you’ll need to take a few precautions and learn a little about grass before sowing your seeds.
Test Your Soil
Before starting, you will want to test your soil for any issues. Unhealthy soil may hinder or entirely prevent your grass from growing. You can test your soil with home kits or bring it to your state’s government Extension Service to get it professionally tested. If testing reveals issues, you may need to bring your soil back to health. Limestone can help with acidic soil pH, while sulfur can help with alkaline soil. Be sure to test your soil once you’ve treated it to ensure it is viable for your grass.
Clear Your Yard of Debris
If your yard is littered with rocks, weeds, branches, or other debris, you must clear it so grass can grow properly. Remove any debris from the yard and eliminate all weeds. You can use a rake and weed remover tool for this, but harmful chemicals or weed poisons can damage your grass seed’s ability to grow, so be careful. Once you’ve cleared the yard of clutter, rake the space evenly to provide a level terrain. You’ll want to add a new layer of soil or grass fertilizer on the top to help the grass grow before sowing your seeds.
Choose the Right Grass
There are many different grass types, and some can’t grow in certain conditions. Research your local area’s climate to determine which types of grass are best suited for your lawn. If you live in a hot environment like Florida or Arizona, you will want grass resistant to high temperatures, like Bermuda or Zoysia. Alternatively, freezing climates like Alaska or Canada require grasses that survive extreme cold and snow, like Kentucky Bluegrass or fescue.
Seed During the Right Time
Late spring and early summer are usually the best times to plant grass, but late summer or early fall can be appropriate for colder-season grasses. Grass seed packages or online guides can provide specific planting instructions and timelines by location. Once you’ve reached the optimal timeframe for planting, you can use a spreader to distribute the seeds evenly over the yard. Be sure to cover the seeds with a small layer of soil.
Encourage Germination
For grass seeds to start growing, they must be firmly pressed into the soil. The best way to do this is to use a tool called a roller, which was made specifically for tasks like seed tamping. The roller allows the seeds to keep in contact with the soil by gently pushing them further into the ground. Seed mats or ground covers can protect the seeds from being washed away or taken by animals.
Water Regularly
Immediately after sowing the seeds, ensure the soil is watered at least four inches deep. Then, water the seeds regularly to encourage growth, but don’t overwater them. Once or twice daily is usually enough under a gentle mist unless rain has done the job for you. Germination can take a few weeks, so keeping the seeds watered regularly is essential. Dehydrating them can prevent them from growing properly. You’ll still need to water grass after it is fully grown, especially during a dry spell.
Remove Weeds
Weeds can harm fully-grown grass, but young grass is particularly vulnerable. They can be invasive and take nutrients from the soil away from grass. Additionally, weeds can overtake grass and limit its growth. If you notice any growing weeds, remove them to protect the grass around them. Remember not to use harmful herbicides to remove weeds, as they may hurt your grass, too.
Mow Strategically
Once your seedlings have sprouted into proper grass, you’ll want to be careful about mowing. Mowing too early or too much can affect your lawn’s growth. You’ll want to keep your lawn no shorter than two inches in warmer weather and three inches in colder seasons. If your current mower does not have mulching options, you may want to look at a mulching lawn mower for sale to make maintenance easier. Mulching allows the freshly cut grass to serve as compost for the remaining grass, providing additional nutrients.
Conclusion
Growing grass from scratch may take a few months, but it's a relatively simple process once you understand your home’s climate, soil, and the type of grass you’re working with. Once you remove debris from your yard and ensure your soil is healthy enough to host grass, you’ll want to sow the seeds evenly, water the seeds regularly, and mow accordingly. Be sure to remove any weeds safely so your grass has the room and nutrients to grow.