Methods for Planting Grass

There are several methods for planting grass. Seeds can be planted on a bare prepared seed bed, in an existing lawn or simply scattered over the top of the soil or lawn.

Planting grass seeds on a seed bed is considered to be the best method for growing grass if it is feasible. A seed bed is just bare soil. All other plants have been removed, including any grass already present. This cuts out the need for the new grass to compete with any vegetation already present. Plants would take the food, water and sunshine that the small seedlings need because they were bigger. To prepare the seed bed it is necessary to till the dirt. This gets rid of any grass or weeds already present and makes the dirt less compact. The grass can find more food and nutrients this way. The main reason why a seed bed is best for growing grass is that the method has the most seed to soil contact which is very crucial in growing grass. The downside of this method is that you have to till up your lawn even if there is already a bit of grass on it. Also, using this method a person has to live with a dirt lawn until the grass becomes established.

Planting seeds in an existing lawn is not as good as using a seed bed. When planting in an existing lawn the crucial seed to soil contact is less. There are a few things that can be done to help with this problem. First, it is more successful to plant cool season grasses then warm season grasses. Second, some kind of aeration helps increase the chance of success for the grass. Aeration can be achieved by poking plug aerators in the ground or using a vertical mower which puts slits in the ground. Raking after planting may also help the seeds succeed in growing into grass. Even raking after planting is known to do some good.

The third method is similar to the second except that instead of throwing the seeds on top of un-tilled grass, the seeds are thrown on un-tilled bare dirt. The weather and other conditions that affect the seeds soil to seed contact determine whether the method of growing grass will work. Most kinds of grass seeds need to be in the ground in order to germinate or grow. This is especially true for warm season seeds. Winter season seeds are not quite so picky.

Whatever method used to plant and grow grass the most important things to remember are to plant the seeds and the exact depth the package tells you. Also, try to keep an eye on the soil to seed constant as its very important for development. Last thing is to make sure that the temperature where you live is right for the type of seed you acquire.