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How to Use Potting Soil to Seed a Lawn

If you want to improve the chances of your grass seed growing into a great lawn, you can begin by seeding the lawn with potting soil. Potting soil is specially formulated to help seed root and grow. It both holds in moisture more effectively than standard yard soil and it also contains fertilizer to help in the seeds germination. Using potting soil in a couple of different ways can help weed your lawn.

Till the soil until it is broken up and soft. This makes the soil much easier to plant in.

Layer 2 to 4 inches of potting soil directly on top of the soil in your yard without mixing it into the ground's soil for the easiest growth conditions. This can be especially beneficial in ground that has heavy, clay soil. Clay soil can weight grass seed down, making it harder to grow.

  • If you want to improve the chances of your grass seed growing into a great lawn, you can begin by seeding the lawn with potting soil.
  • It both holds in moisture more effectively than standard yard soil and it also contains fertilizer to help in the seeds germination.

Mix potting soil in with the top 4 to 6 inches of the ground’s soil if planting in softer soils or in areas where top soil can be easily blown away by strong winds. The potting soil will still have a beneficial effect on the lawn's growth.

Seed the lawn in the late summer or early fall while the soil is still warm, but after the summer's challenges have passed. If planted in the spring or summer, the lawn must be watered more frequently due to the level of heat and sunlight.

Spread 1/4 of the grass seed over the entire area of the lawn. Repeat the process of spreading 1/4 of the grass seed at a time over the entire lawn's surface to get the best coverage.

Use a rake to move the seed just beneath the surface of the potting soil or potting soil/ground soil surface. Grass seed must be only lightly covered in order to properly root and grow.

  • Mix potting soil in with the top 4 to 6 inches of the ground’s soil if planting in softer soils or in areas where top soil can be easily blown away by strong winds.
  • If planted in the spring or summer, the lawn must be watered more frequently due to the level of heat and sunlight.

Roll lightly over the entire seeded area with a lawn roller to press the seed into the soil. Water the entire seeded surface just until moist.

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