It packs both grass seed and lawn food into one handy formula designed to grow grass twice as fast as seed on its own. You can use it to put down a new lawn or to overseed a thin lawn. Just rake the soil, apply the product with your spreader, and water daily until the grass reaches mowing height.
How to plant grass seed in your lawn?
Concentrate the seed on bare patches left by old weeds or thinned out by walking. To make sure your lawn is one beautiful shade of green, make sure to match your grass seed type to the existing grass in your lawn.
How do you make grass grow faster?
When planting a lawn, the more you work with the grass seed’s natural cycle, the easier it will be to make your grass grow. Warm-season grasses thrive in southern and western areas of the United States.
What kind of grass seed should you buy?
You can purchase mixed grass seed that is designed to meet specific needs, such as drought-resistant grasses or mixes that you can grow to repair damaged lawns. Seed mixtures: Some seed mixtures combine several different grass types in one seed package. The strengths and weaknesses of each offset the others to keep your lawn green and healthy.
How do you fertilize a lawn with starter grass?
Add seeding soil to the top of your existing soil and smooth with the rake. If you are not using seeding soil, add the starter grass fertilizer on top of the existing soil with a spreader. Mix well-rotted manure or compost into the soil, refilling any holes.
Will grass seed grow if you just throw it on the ground?
Let us start with the simple question, will the seed grow if it is just thrown on the ground? The simple answer is, yes. Beyond just throwing the seed out into the lawn and not performing any grass maintenance there is a whole world of lawn care. While the seed is one of the most resilient out there.
What is the fastest way to get grass to grow?
One of the most effective ways to get your grass to grow fast is to fertilize right after you plant. For use on all grass types, reach for Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass, which helps grass grow up to 70 percent thicker and 35 percent more quickly (vs. unfed).
How long does it take for contractor grass to grow?
5-10 daysSeed will begin to grow in 5-10 days. You can mow the seedlings when they reach 3 inches in height. For best results, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass when seeding. Do not apply a weed control product until after at least four mowings.
What month is best to put grass seed down?
Plant cool-season grass seed in late summer or early fall (when daytime temperatures lower to about 60 to 75 degrees) for best success. September is typically the best month, although you might be able to get away with seeding as early as mid-August or as late as mid-October; it all depends on the forecast.
How do you prepare ground for grass seed?
Remove large rocks and debris, fill in low spots, and if your soil is compacted, work it over with a tiller. Your goal is to break the soil down to pea- or marble-sized particles, which will serve as a welcome mat for the grass seed.
Should I put topsoil over grass seed?
Do not put top soil over grass seed, but you can add a thin layer of organic matter to help the seed to germinate. 'Never put topsoil over newly planted grass seed,' says Yamaguchi. 'This won't provide healthy growing conditions – it will actually prevent the seedlings from sprouting by essentially suffocating them. '
Does watering grass help it grow?
If you water infrequently and deeply, the roots of your grass will start to grow deeper down into the soil. This helps your grass stay green during periods of drought or extremely hot weather. Experts recommend that you water your grass with 1 inch of water, once a week.
What do contractors use for grass seed?
Southern States Grass Contractors Mixture is an economical mixture of 50% turf type tall fescue and 50% annual ryegrass grass seed used to provide quick, green ground cover for new home/construction sites. If starting from bare ground, plant a rate of 10-15 lbs per 1,000 square feet.
What kind of grass do construction workers use?
Contractor's Mix contains annual ryegrass so it germinates quickly and provides a fast grass cover. It is most often used by new home builders to establish a lawn quickly because it provides an excellent value for the price.
Does grass grow in 2 inches of soil?
(Grass and weeds will grow through soil 2 or 3 inches thick quite easily.) Once you add more than 3 or 4 inches of soil, the amount of weeds and grass that will grow through starts to drop off dramatically.
Should you wet soil before planting grass seed?
The final step of site preparation for planting grass seed is to water the area well. Putting seed down on damp soil encourages speedy germination and provides immediate moisture to emerging roots. Wetting the area before planting is an important step in the process.
Can you use too much grass seed?
Ignoring recommended seeding rates Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result.
How often should grass seed be watered?
Normally a lawn should be watered deeply but infrequently, but when you are watering for new grass seed, you must water every day. Set automatic timers for about 5 to 10 minutes, early in the morning, and again at mid-day. Watering done by hand or hose-end sprinklers must be consistent and evenly applied.
What happens if you don't rake in grass seed?
If you don't rake in grass seed, the seeds can wash away or blow away from rain and wind. Furthermore, the grass seeds likely won't get deep enough into the soil to sprout. If you don't have a rake, you can overseed and aerate the lawn for similar benefits.
What is the quickest growing grass seed?
Bermuda grass is the fastest-growing warm season grass, germinating in as little as 10 days. Ryegrass, which grows in cool climates, also germinates that quickly.
How do you encourage grass to spread?
Improve Your Soil. To get the most out of every step to a thicker lawn, take a tip from lawn pros and test your soil. ... Overseed. Overseeding is simply sowing grass seed into existing grass to make thin lawns thick—or keep them from getting thin. ... Fertilize. ... Boost Your Lawn. ... Irrigate. ... Mow Properly. ... Control Weeds.
Will grass spread to bare spots?
Will Grass Spread to Bare Spots and Repair Itself? (Answered) It depends. Grass with rhizomes (under-ground runners) spreads laterally, and naturally fills in bald or bare patches on your lawn. The same is true for grass that spreads via Stolons (above-ground runners).
How To Choose Grass Seed
Two main types of grass for turf are warm-season grass and cool-season grass. Pick the species of grass seed that matches your climate and your yard’s sun exposure. Also consider how much moisture your lawn will get. You may need a grass that resists drought.
Bahia Grass (W)
Bahia grass is a moderately aggressive grass that can be found on some lawns from Florida through the southern Coastal Plans and the Texas Gulf Coast, where resilience in turf grass is needed.
Bermuda Grass (W)
Bermuda grass fills in quickly and its aggressive growth is helpful to resist weeds. It flourishes with the full sunlight in the warmer regions of the Southeast United States.
Buffalo Grass (W)
Low-maintenance Buffalo grass is a tough turf grass found in the Great Plains from Montana to Mexico.
Centipede Grass (W)
Centipede grass is popular throughout the Southern United States for its slow-growing and low-maintenance traits, even in poor soil.
Creeping Bentgrass (C)
Creeping Bentgrass provides a soft, dense, carpet-like lawn. It is commonly found on golf course putting greens and requires significant maintenance.
Fescue Grass (C)
Fescue has many varieties and textures that can thrive in mild winters and warm summers.
Test Your Soil
Roots depend on healthy, nutritious soil to grow green and lush grass. Test soil annually to see what amendments your lawn needs. Giving your soil exactly what it’s craving promises stronger, healthier and greener grass.
Fertilize Your Lawn
A big part of knowing how to make your lawn greener is choosing the right fertilizer. Lawn fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. These nutrients support the grass. That way, it grows strong from the roots and stays green, healthy and lush. Nitrogen is especially important for getting beautiful green grass.
Kill Weeds and Unwanted Insects
Weeds and crabgrass can mar an otherwise perfect lawn. For best results, treat weeds before they begin to grow. If weeds have already taken root in your lawn, there are three solutions:
Use Grass Seed
Grass seed is an excellent fix for brown or barren spots. Concentrate the seed on bare patches left by old weeds or thinned out by walking. To make sure your lawn is one beautiful shade of green, make sure to match your grass seed type to the existing grass in your lawn.
Water Your Lawn
It may seem obvious, but keeping your lawn watered is critical for lush and green grass. You'll need to assure your lawn gets 1 inch of water per week. If it’s not raining regularly, set up a sprinkler.
Aerate Your Lawn
As you play and walk on the lawn, you compact the soil. This makes it hard for grass roots to take in air, nutrients and water. Your lawn might not look as green as it once did.
Replace Lawn Mower Blades
Dull mower blades create jagged grass edges that quickly turn brown. The individual blades of grass will look torn, not neatly cut. They may even get a white tint to the tips of them. That means it’s time to sharpen your lawn mower blades .
Types of Grass for Lawn
Choose the type of grass that performs best in your area. Warm-season varieties include Bahia, Bermuda, Centipede, St. Augustine and Zoysia. Cool-season grasses include Bent Fescue, Kentucky Blue Grass and Perennial Rye Grass.
6 Steps to Planting Your Lawn from Seed
1. Assemble the equipment. A tiller makes the job of preparing the soil easy. Choose between two types of spreaders: drop or broadcast. You'll also need a lawn roller to tamp the seed. All can be rented from The Home Depot's Tool Rental Center.
Mow Your Growing Lawn
Mow when new grass is approximately 3 inches tall. Set your mower on a high setting, approximately 2 inches, until your new lawn is established. Follow the Rule of Thirds for a healthy lawn: Vigoro experts say that because 2 -2 1/2 inches is the ideal height for grass, try not to cut more than a third of the grass blade to prevent shock.
Planting Sod and Plugs
Grass seed isn't the only way to start your lawn. Sod and plugs have their advantages, too. Although it comes with a higher price tag, sod offers a near-instant lawn, is weed-free and easily covers slopes without worries over seed washing away. Plugs are a small-space solution. Learn more about installing a sod lawn.
