Better ways to plant grass

If you dream of a green lawn, with a little hard work and the right method you can make that dream come true. Sometimes, it feels like it always takes a while for the grass to grow. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some tips and tricks you can use to grow an entire lawn or fill in the blanks to make your yard look new. Here are 5 tips on the fastest and best ways to plant grass for your lawn.

Tip # 1: Choose the right grass type. Each type of grass grows differently, looks and feels a little different, and requires different conditions to grow quickly.

You need to know two things:

Your Climate Map Zone

Difference between cold season and warm-season grasses

You can find out which zone you are in by doing an online search or accessing your local extension office (a garden center can also help).

Cool-season grasses look good in the cold spring and fall and mild summers

Other factors that affect your decision are the humidity in your area and the height at which you live.

If you are looking for a fast growth rate, be aware of the germination rates of the grass type you have chosen! The usual germination period for seeds is 3 to 28 days, depending on the type you choose. Ryegrass grows in 5 days, and Kentucky bluegrass can take up to two weeks.

Tip # 2: Plant at the right time of year. It depends on the type of grass you choose.

Usually, you will want to plant in spring or autumn because of the overnight humidity and generally favorable temperature. Warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass and Sociacross are often planted in late summer or spring. Most grasses are planted in early fall when the soil is warm but the night air is cool.

You can search for details about that type of grass online, or even have some information on the bag.

Tip # 3: Prepare your lawn properly. Before actually planting any grass seed, you need to make sure your lawn is ready so the seeds have the best conditions.

Soil aeration gives space for your seeds and space for roots to grow. This allows water and nutrients to get into the soil so the seeds can access them. It has good seeds to make contact with the soil, which is the best way to ensure germination. You can rent a shovel or rake to help break up the soil or buy an aerator.

You need to make sure you have the right mix of soil, which can be done with a simple soil test from your local garden center. This will allow you to find out what nutrients are not in the soil, so you can apply the right fertilizer for the individual needs of your lawn.

Tip # 4: When you are ready to plant, use the right tools. For a small area, hand seeding should be fine. But if you are making a large area or your entire lawn, you may want to consider a seed carpet. There are many spreaders to choose from such as a finger, push from behind, drop spreader, and so on. You can find the stock in your garden center and choose what works best for you.

When you start sowing, you should make two passes on the lawn and drop the seeds according to the instructions in your bag for that type (usually it is 15-20 seeds per square inch). On your first pass, head north and south on your lawn. Then your second, go east to west. This will help spread the seed more evenly.

Don’t forget to soak the seeds lightly in the soil so they will allow good seed to germinate faster from soil contact.

Tip # 5: After you sow the grass seeds, give the ground good watering. If the seeds dry out before germination, they will die before they have a chance to grow.

For the first few weeks, you will want to keep the lawn moist. If you live in a very hot area, you should water two or three times a day. If some areas are shady than others, those areas may require less water, so keep that in mind.

After the first two or three weeks have passed and you start to see good germination, you can cut back a few days a week. When the lawn is two inches high, watering can be reduced to once a week.