Planting lawn seed is a great way to expand your yard into new areas or improve your current grass. But before you start, it’s important to do some prep work.

Prep your bare spot by digging it up and mixing in fresh topsoil, a process called “reseeding”. Then, use a rake to level the ground.

Prep the Area

Whether you’re trying to cover a small bare spot in your lawn, or you’re attempting to seed an entire area, there are some things you need to do before sprinkling grass seed on the ground. The most important is to prepare the soil for the task.

A good first step is to use a garden rake or a sharp shovel to loosen the soil by about a half inch in order to create room for the seeds. This will help encourage germination and the development of strong roots.

You may also want to mix in a bit of topsoil, but make sure to avoid adding any fertilizer or weed seeds. This is because they can cause a lot of problems down the road. Besides, it’s a good idea to get some sort of watering system in place before you start seeding. This will ensure that your newly planted grass gets the water it needs without wasting it.

Choose the Right Seed

Growing grass from seed is an affordable and easy way to create a beautiful lawn. However, it’s important to choose the right grass seed for your specific needs and conditions.

The right type of seed depends on a variety of factors, including your soil condition and how much maintenance you’re willing to invest. Some types of turfgrass require a particular level of fertilizer or water to thrive, while others will grow well with little input from you.

You can also try a blend or mixture of several grass species, which often give better results than one variety in particular. These blends and mixtures often have disease- and drought-resistant properties, resulting in a more attractive lawn overall.

Cover the Seed

If you’re seeding a new lawn, cover the seed with soil so it doesn’t dry out or get washed away by heavy rains. You can mulch your newly sown seed with a layer of screened compost, topsoil or mushroom soil.

Adding compost or topsoil before seeding improves the soil’s organic content, helps retain moisture and provides additional nutrients to help grass seeds sprout and grow. These materials are available at garden centers for small jobs, and at local nursery and box stores for larger lawns.

Alternatively, if you are overseeding an existing lawn, a light covering of straw can help protect the seeds from birds, keep them moist and prevent them from drying out and washing away. Straw, which is weed-free, can be found at most garden stores and landscape supply centers.

Water

Watering is an important part of establishing your new grass. It ensures that the seed can germinate and that the soil remains moist.

The amount of water you need to apply depends on the weather and your climate. But it’s crucial not to overdo it! ‘Too much can make the soil sit too wet and too dry will kill the seed,’ warns Johnsons Lawn Seed expert Emma Hedges-Gower.

She recommends watering the seeds in the morning or after it’s been raining. ‘It is also best to avoid watering in the evening because the water will remain on the soil overnight, increasing the risk of fungal disease.’

Watering your lawn can be a challenging chore, but it is essential for ensuring that the soil remains moist and encourages the growth of the new grass. It is important to start the watering process early so that the grass has a chance to develop deep roots that will help it survive the summer.