Preparing Your Lawn for Grass Seed

In the event you’re overseeding an existing lawn you’ll want to mow your grass as short as possible. If you have any bare spots in your lawn you’ll want to loosen the soil to promote germination in those areas. Next you’ll want to remove any dead grass or debris that has collected. If you have any low spots or have water collecting now is a good time to level these spots with a grader or even fill with some dirt or sand depending on the situation.

Another excellent but not necessary step is to aerate the lawn. Spreading the seed with a broadcast spreader will promote the most even spread of grass seed, however any spreader will work. You’ll want to ensure you don’t allow more than about 16 seeds per square inch of soil. This will cause the seeds to fight for space and nutrients and will result in seedlings dying off and will produce thin spot in your lawn. Even seeding your bare spots by hand is acceptable.

A light application of starter fertilizer is recommended to promote the health of your lawn as it germinates. It is recommended to cover any bare spots to keep the seed from washing away. Just make absolutely certain if you cover your bare spots with hay that all the seed heads have been removed, otherwise you’ll have a hay field in your front lawn come the spring.

The most important step of the process is to ensure you keep the roots moist. You’ll want to water for shorter periods of time but more frequently. Keeping the seed and roots moist will enhance the germination of the grass seed.