How to Grow Grass for Your New Lawn

You are now the proud owner of your very own lawn, but that does not mean you automatically know how to grow grass. A beautiful lawn is something you can enjoy. On the other hand, a yard that is splotchy and full of weeds can be a serious source of frustration. In order to start growing grass so you can have a lush and beautiful yard, you need to first learn how to seed a lawn.

Learning how to grow grass is not complicated. In fact, you can successfully seed your lawn by following the five simple steps outlined below.

How to seed a lawn in five steps

• Step 1: Get the timing right.

• Step 2: Loosen up the soil.

• Step 3: Put out the seed.

• Step 4: Add nutrients.

• Step 5: Water in the seed.

Detailed instructions on how to grow grass

1. Get the timing right

There are several varieties of grass and they each grow best during a particular time of year. You need to do a little research about what type of grass does well in your area. For example, the United States is separated into three zones that will help you determine what type of grass to choose. The cool-season grass zone includes the upper two-thirds of the U.S. The rest of the U.S. is divided into a transitional zone and a warm-season grass zone. In the transitional zone, both types of grass can flourish while warm-season grass does best in the lower part of the U.S. The grass you choose will determine the timing for planting the seed.

2. Loosen up the soil

Soil can become compacted over time. If your soil is compacted, it can prevent the seed from being able to take root. Loosening up the soil makes it possible for the seed to get into the soil so it can start to grow. One process you can use to loosen the soil is called aeration. Aeration removes small plugs of soil to open up the root system of your current grass and loosen the soil.

3. Put out the seed

When the timing is right for your particular type of grass and you have taken steps to prep the soil, it is time to put out the seed. You can purchase a spreader to help you quickly and evenly spread the seed around your yard. After you spread the seed, it helps to lightly rake it into the freshly loosened soil.

4. Add nutrients

After you loosen the soil and put out the seed, it is a great time to add nutrients. The nutrients will be able to get into the soil because it is loosened up. Adding in nutrients like Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass Plus Weed Preventer will give your grass a better chance of taking root and help protect it from the threat of weeds.

5. Water in the seed

Once the seed, fertilizer, and weed preventer are spread out on your yard, it is time to water in the seed. Watering your yard immediately after you put the seed out helps it sink into the ground and provides it with an essential element that it needs to start growing. You will need to water the seed regularly in order for it to become established in your yard.

Products and tools you’ll need for growing grass

• Aeration tool: Aerating your yard before you spread the seeds will significantly improve your chances of success. New grass will have a difficult time taking root and growing in severely compacted soil. Aeration relieves the compaction and provides space for the grass seed and nutrients to get into the soil. You can aerate your lawn by hand using a tool like the Goplus Rolling Lawn Aerator or get the job done by walking around in a pair of GoPPa Lawn Aerator Shoes. If you have a large yard, then you should consider using a lawnmower attachment like the Brinly Tow-Behind Plug Aerator in order to cover more space in a shorter amount of time.

• Grass seed: Purchasing the right type of grass seed is an essential part of growing grass in your yard. The type of seed you should purchase depends on where you live in the U.S. If you need cool-season grass seed, consider an option like Pennington Smart Seed Northeast Mix. If you need warm-season grass seed, look at Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Centipede Seed and Mulch, which is designed for southern lawns.

• Seed spreader: Spreaders include hand-held options like the Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader, a push broadcast spreader like the Scotts EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader, and the tow broadcast spreader like the Agri-Fab Tow Broadcast Spreader.

• Fertilizer: As you learn more about how to grow grass, you will discover you need to provide your lawn with additional nutrition at key times. At the very beginning of the life cycle, it is an important time to add fertilizer to your yard. A product like Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass can provide your new grass with the extra boost of nutrition it needs.

• Sprinklers: Having sprinklers will make it much easier to water in the grass seed you put out. If you do not have a sprinkler system at your home, you can purchase individual sprinklers like Melnor Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler for your lawn.

The bottom line

If you want to know how to grow grass, you must take the time to prepare the lawn and be willing to follow through with lawn care. Before you put down grass seed, you need to make sure you are doing it during the right time of year. Then, you need to loosen up the soil before you spread the seed. Once the seed is on the ground, you must add nutrients and water it regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best grass seed in a new lawn? 

The best grass seed in a new lawn depends upon where you live. Choose a grass seed designed to thrive in your area: cool-season grass, warm-season grass, or a mixture of both if you are in the transitional zone of the U.S.

Will grass seed germinate on top of soil?

Grass seed needs to be mixed in with the soil in order to germinate properly. You will need to aerate your lawn and rake in the seed for best results.

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on the lawn? 

You may have a few blades of grass pop up if you just sprinkle grass seed on the lawn, but the results will be sparse. For the best results, you need to aerate, rake, and water in the grass seed.