How to Lay Lawn Seed

Overview

A thick, emerald-green lawn creates an eye-catching yard. If you have purchased the lawn seed to convert a stretch of dirt in your yard into that emerald vision, all you need to know is how to lay the lawn seed. Though you can plant grass seed spring to fall in areas where the winter is cold, the best time to plant grass is mid-August to mid-September. Homeowners in warm winter areas can plant in the winter.

Step 1

Use a shovel or rototiller to cultivate the soil down to a depth of three inches. Break up large chunks.

Step 2

Rake the area to level it out or to encourage drainage, especially an incline away from the house. Remove rocks and any vegetation gathered from raking.

Step 3

Add an inch of organic matter or topsoil and rake into soil.

Step 4

Use a lawn seeder to spread the grass seed evenly in parallel strips. Overlap each row slightly to ensure no area is missed.

Step 5

Use a roller, a weighted garden device pushed or pulled by hand or pulled by a garden tractor, to smooth the ground and to ensure the seed is embedded into the soil. You can also apply fertilizer applied if desired.

Step 6

Sprinkle loose straw across the lawn to help hold the grass seed in place during rainfalls, watering or when it's windy.

Step 7

Water lightly on a daily basis if there is no rainfall. Water deeply but less frequently when the grass reaches about two inches in height.