How to Grow Grass From Seed Anywhere (Ultimate Guide)
Would you like to know how to grow grass from seeds anywhere? Your dream garden has always been a charming, green, well-landscaped, dense lawn, giving off a good smell of natural freshness.
However, if you wish to turn your open garden into a beautiful lawn, then you have to know how the grass is grown from the soil up with the right seeds and maintained.
This article will show how to sow the grass seed, whether in a shaded area or an open lawn. You will learn, among other things, when is the best time to plant, which seeds are ideal for your climate and needs, and which fertilizer to use.
What to Consider to Grow Grass From Seed.
Without further ado, below are some of the vital things you will need for a successful seeding and growing of your lawn grass:
1. The ideal climate
Autumn and spring generally have the most favorable climate for growing lawn grass seeds. In addition, you have to ensure soil temperature stays around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius for several weeks before planting.
Ideally, it should be between 50 and 65 degrees at seeding. If you choose to plant in the fall, do so in September or October when the soil is still warm.
The real advantage is that the rain, which is frequent at this time of the year, will help the seeds germinate. Spring sowing is done at the end of winter, in March or April, when temperatures are more stable, and there are usually no more frosts.
Note that if you sow in spring, you can enjoy your lawn the following summer!
2. Prepare the soil before planting
Before sowing the seeds for the lawn grass, the soil must be well prepared and levelled. And how is that done?
One to two weeks before sowing, loosen the soil up to 4 inches deep using a spade or tiller, pull out all the weeds and let the soil rest.
Just before sowing, level the ground with a rake or lawn roller. Depending on the nature of the soil, you may need to add fertilizer as soon as you prepare the soil.
The lawn appreciates soils rich in humus, which are porous and deep. Clay soil – heavy and compact – will be less suitable for growing grass seeds. Nonetheless, you can add sand to allow the roots to grow deep. Your lawn will thus be less fragile when it is dry and will be able to withstand harsh winters without any after-effects.
3. Pick your grass type and choose the right seeds
Choose the seeds according to the climate in your region and the grass you want your lawn to have. There are cool-season grass seeds for places with cool summers. These grow best during fall and spring. Note, however, that they could turn brown in summer, but they will regain their color when well-watered in winter.
For lawns in a shade side or places with low lighting, you may choose cool-season grass seeds such as the Kentucky bluegrass seeds. Tall fescue grass seeds are ideal for gardeners who want low-maintenance grass.
Meanwhile, for those in a warm or tropical climate, choose warm-season grass seeds that can survive in temperatures of up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Good examples of warm weather grass seeds include Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia grass seeds.
Furthermore, there are also all-season types of lawn grass seeds. For example, the Masterline PM35 universal grass seed is an all-purpose grass suitable for all climates, terrains, and purposes, from tennis courts to tees and cricket squares.
However, if you want to grow grass in shaded areas, you need unique seed mixes or fine fescues.
Ornamental turf grasses such as northern sea oats, mosquito grass, and junegrass grow well in shades. At the same time, these require special care and must be maintained regularly.
4. Fertiliser application
Lawn grasses have a high need for nutrients, especially at the beginning of their growth. Therefore, a regular supply of fertilizer will help them grow. It will also protect the grass from weeds and diseases.
You can apply fertilizer either after spreading the seeds or a week after so that the seeds have the best conditions to grow. Depending on the nature of the soil, choose an organic fertilizer, compost, or green manure. A spreader will be a great help in distributing the fertilizer evenly over the soil.
In addition, you will need to fertilize the lawn grass more or less regularly after sowing, generally two to three times a year.
We recommend adding fertilizer once in March or April, to have a green lawn in summer, and a second time in fall to prepare the lawn for winter. Then, if necessary, you can add a third dose in the summer.
First, however, make sure that the soil is not too dry before applying fertilizer. You need a lot of moisture for the fertilizer to be well absorbed.
How to Plant and Grow a Beautiful Lawn in 5 Steps
Choose a day when it is warm and there is no wind. Meanwhile, if rains are expected in the following days, that’s perfect. Otherwise, you will have to water the seeds after planting. Here is the six-step procedure for planting grass seeds:
Step 1: Measure the lawn
Measure the lawn area to sow the seeds and determine the number of seeds needed. You will find information on the measurement and seed quantity to use on the packaging of your seeds.
You’ll generally need three to four pounds of grass seeds for every 1,000 sq. ft. for a new lawn and one to two pounds for every 1,000 sq. ft. for over-seeding applications.
Step 2: Spread the seeds
Lawn grasses have a high need for nutrients, especially at the beginning of their growth. Therefore, a regular supply of fertilizer will help them grow. It will also protect the grass from weeds and diseases.
You can apply fertilizer either after spreading the seeds or a week after so that the seeds have the best conditions to grow. Depending on the nature of the soil, choose an organic fertilizer, compost, or green manure. A spreader will be a great help in distributing the fertilizer evenly over the soil.
In addition, you will need to fertilize the lawn grass more or less regularly after sowing, generally two to three times a year.
We recommend adding fertilizer once in March or April, to have a green lawn in summer, and a second time in fall to prepare the lawn for winter. Then, if necessary, you can add a third dose in the summer.
First, however, make sure that the soil is not too dry before applying fertilizer. You need a lot of moisture for the fertilizer to be well absorbed.
Step 3: Add fertilizer
If you did not add fertilizer when you prepared the soil, do so immediately after sowing. In this case, we recommend a lawn starter fertilizer rich in fast-releasing nitrogen and phosphorus.
Step 4: Cover the grass seeds
Now that the seeds are spread on the ground, you have to cover them with a low layer of soil. Then, rake the ground lengthwise and widthwise, ensuring the seeds are buried under about 1 inch of soil
Step 5: Use the seed roller
To ensure weed connect with the soil and germinates, it is necessary to pass the roller on the raked and dry ground. This tool looks like a hollow cylinder filled with water or sand made of metal or plastic.
Push the seed roller lengthwise, then widthwise over the soil surface. You should also use the roller all year round for lawn maintenance.
Step 6: Wet the soil
Now that the seeds are spread on the ground, you have to cover them with a low layer of soil. Then, rake the ground lengthwise and widthwise, ensuring the seeds are buried under about 1 inch of soil
Alternatively, you can consider a plant wetting agent like the Penterra Soil Penetrant and Wetting Agent. One of the fantastic features of the seed wetting method is that it is more water saving, prevents over-watering and draws water directly into the root zone where the plant needs it most.
Final Words
Growing lawn grass from seeds involves taking the climate and soil into consideration. Then you have to choose the seeds according to this consideration. Seeding can be done by hand, and fertilization can be done immediately after sowing or some days after.
Depending on the type of grass, the seeds will take between seven days and three weeks to germinate. You can then reduce the frequency of watering.
You will be able to walk on your lawn once its blades are 5 cm long. However, it’s best to wait until the first mowing.
The newly sown lawn is very fragile! Once the strands are between 10 and 12 cm high, use the push mower or grass clipper to mow them.
