Home Gardening Outdoor Gardening How to Plant Grass Seed for a Resilient, Green Lawn, From Our Expert Are you green with envy over your neighbor's lawn? Our expert offers advice for creating and maintaining your lawn. By Kim Toscano Kim Toscano Kim Toscano is a gardening expert and writer who has worked in horticulture and communications for over twenty years, using her scientific training and practical experience to educate and inspire gardeners. She began her career studying invasive plant and insect species before taking a role with the Cooperative Extension Service, which she served for 11 years, initially as an educator with Michigan's Master Gardener program.In 2007, Kim moved to Oklahoma to serve as writer and host for Oklahoma Gardening, a weekly PBS television program produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. During her seven-plus years as host, Kim shared her expertise through more than 1,000 video segments covering all aspects of gardening, environmental stewardship, and sustainable living. She is currently a contributor to national gardening media, including Fine Gardening and Southern Living Plant Collection. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 15, 2023 Fact checked by Emily Peterson Fact checked by Emily Peterson Emily Peterson is an experienced fact-checker and editor with Bachelor's degrees in English Literature and French. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Preparations Steps How to Overseed a Lackluster Lawn Frequently Asked Questions Close Photo: Welcomia/Getty Images If you're wondering how to plant grass seed and create a beautiful lawn with plenty of curb appeal, you've come to the right place. Establishing a lawn is easier than you think but, if mowing and maintaining one isn't at the top of your priorities list, keep in mind there are plenty of no-mow alternatives to a traditional grass lawn. Still up for the challenge? We consulted Dennis Martin, professor and turfgrass extension/research specialist at Oklahoma State University, who helped us break down the process. "The most important thing about seeding a new lawn is to divide the big project into a series of small, realistic, and achievable step-wise goals,” he says. If you're determined to create a resilient new lawn, or just improve the lawn you have, we can help you learn how to plant grass seed like a pro. Let's get growing! Considerations Before You Get Started Seed Selection Getty Images/Elenathewise Martin stresses the importance of selecting grass seed appropriate for your local climate. When asked, "What is the best turfgrass species and variety for my lawn?" he replies, "It is the turf species and varieties that address the unique and dynamic microclimate of the lawn site as well as the homeowner’s needs, desires, budget, and management capabilities.” In southern states, these warm-season grasses suit homeowners best: ZoysiaBermudaCarpetgrassCentipedeSt. Augustine If you live in the north, Martin recommends these grasses for a cool-season lawn: Kentucky bluegrassPerennial ryegrassFine fescueTall fescue When to Plant Getty Images/Luaeva The proper time to sow grass seeds depends on your location and the type of grass you want to establish. To help take the guesswork out of when to plant based on soil temperature, pick up an inexpensive soil thermometer at your local garden center. For estimates of the first and last frost dates in your area, visit the Farmer's Almanac website and enter your zip code. Sow warm-season grasses from late spring to midsummer, after the threat of frost has passed and soil has warmed to between 65 and 70 degrees F. This typically corresponds to daytime air temperatures around 80 degrees F. You can continue to seed warm-season grasses into midsummer "if you can meet their water requirements during the hot summer," Martin says. Allow at least 90 days for the turf to establish before the expected first frost. Cool-season turfgrasses are best established in early autumn, but germinate equally well in spring. "Autumn seeding allows more months of maturing before their first hot summer," Martin explains. As a rule of thumb, sow cool-season grass at least 45 days before the expected first frost. The second-best time to seed cool-season turfgrass is early spring, once soil temperatures have warmed to between 50 and 60 degrees F. Rent or Buy? Starting a new lawn requires some specialized equipment. For higher-priced items you may only use once or twice a year, consider renting through an equipment rental service instead of buying. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Soil tiller Rake Garden hose, sprinkler, or irrigation for watering Drop spreader Lawn roller Materials "Starter" turfgrass fertilizer Grass seed Weed-free straw or erosion control blanket Instructions How to Plant Grass Seed If you're starting from scratch, follow these steps to turn a patch of dirt into a verdant green lawn. Consult your grass seed package instructions for further details. Prepare the Soil Getty Images/Paul Calinescu Before planting seeds, give your new lawn the best possible start by preparing the soil and planting site. First, at least a month in advance of planting, Martin recommends having a test performed to determine your soil's pH and nutrient status. "If soil tillage, installation of irrigation or drainage, or other major surface contouring is planned, call 811, the national before-you-dig number, to have utilities located," Martin continued. Prior to seeding, Martin recommends shallow tillage—1 to 2 inches deep—to help break up the surface and bring weeds, debris, rocks, and roots to the surface. Remove that surface debris and then rake the area to create a smooth, firm planting bed. Several days before you plan to seed, water the seedbed to a depth of 5 to 6 inches to create a damp soil bed for seeding. Just before planting, Martin says to apply the recommended amendments as per the soil test results or, if a soil test was not conducted, apply a "starter" fertilizer on the seedbed surface. Spread this mixture at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Spread Grass Seed Getty Images/Welcomia Before spreading, mix your grass seed with sand, commercial soil, or similar material to evenly distribute it across the planting area. To ensure even distribution, divide the recommended seed amount into two equal portions and then spread each portion in a different direction across the seed bed. Using a drop or broadcast spreader, spread grass seed across the soil surface at the rate listed on the seed bag, typically as pounds of seed per 1000 square feet. Multiply the length and width of your planting area to determine how many square feet you have and then adjust your spreader to distribute the appropriate amount of seed. Cover the Seeds Grass seeds are small and don't need to be buried deep in the soil, but they still need a bit of protection from wind and water erosion. After seeding, use a rake to lightly cover the seed with soil no more than ⅛-inch deep. Seeds need good contact with the soil surface to establish properly, so use a lightweight lawn roller to gently pack the seed into the soil. Next, cover the seedbed with a weed-free straw (such as wheat straw) or an erosion control blanket to help maintain soil moisture and prevent seeds from blowing or washing away. You can remove the mulch when a majority of the seed has germinated and seedlings are 1 to 2 inches tall. Water the Seeds Getty Images/Chris Clor Since grass seed is close to the soil surface, frequent, light watering is critical for keeping the seed and soil moist for proper germination. Water lightly each day for the first 10 to 14 days, making sure the upper inch of soil is moist. Switch to deeper, less frequent watering once the seedlings are established to promote deeper rooting, but be careful not to let the soil dry out. You can begin mowing the new lawn when your grass reaches your intended cutting height. Mowing will promote lateral spread. How to Overseed a Lackluster Lawn Getty Images/Primeimages To repair bare patches or thicken up thin areas, you can overseed—spread seed over an existing lawn—which is quite simple. Before starting, Martin cautions to delay overseeding if a pre-emergent herbicide has been applied to the lawn in the last 3 to 4 months (or perhaps longer). Check the pre-emergent herbicide label for the recommended window after application. To begin overseeding, cut the lawn very short and bag the clippings. To loosen and expose the soil for good seed contact, rake the area to remove dead grass and debris. It's also a good idea to spread a very thin layer of topsoil (no more than ⅛-inch thick) across the surface of the planting area and fertilize as described for a new lawn. The rest is the same as for establishing a new lawn: Spread the seed according to label recommendations, cover it with straw or a thin layer of topsoil, and water frequently. Frequently Asked Questions Will grass seed grow if you just throw it down on the ground? If the soil has not been prepared for growth, and no other efforts like fertilization or tiling have occurred, some seeds may sprout but the germination rate will diminish, giving you patchy results."That is certainly not what I would suggest is a strategy for the likelihood of success," says Martin, who recommends "tipping the odds in your favor by providing growing conditions conducive for growth."He urges homeowners to improve their success rate by following the correct steps for timing, site prep, seeding, establishment management practices, and maturing management practices. How long does it take for grass seed to germinate? Assuming all growing conditions are optimal—you water twice a day and keep the first two inches of topsoil moist at all times—grass seed takes between 4 and 18 days to germinate, depending on the type of grass you're seeding."If temperature and moisture are not conducive, it will be a long time to never, correct? Example: seeding out turfgrass seed at the North Pole!" chides Martin. "Also, what if a pre-emergent herbicide were in place already and you seeded into it?" he asks. Does grass seed go bad or expire? "Yes, grass seed can go bad," says Martin, meaning it loses its viability or germination ability. Seeds can grow rancid if left in moist conditions. They also lose potency over time. He adds that grass seed stores best in cool and dry conditions, where they can last up to three years, but the percentage of viable seeds diminishes the longer they're stored.Martin recommends storing seeds in the freezer or refrigerator, provided water condensation doesn't contact the seed. "Do not allow the seed to get hot or moist," he warns.A great way to test if your grass seed has gone bad is to place ten seeds on a damp paper towel and place them in a bag. Place the bag in a warm area for ten days and watch for germination. If fewer than five seeds sprout, you have less than 50 percent viability and should get fresh seed. How much grass seed do I need per acre? To estimate how much grass seed you need, the general recommendation is four to seven pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. This calculates to 175 to 250 pounds per acre. Always check the back of your seed bag for the company's preferred calculations.