Planting grass seed

Although there are different methods of grass planting, the end result is still the same: you want to create a healthy lawn. All grass seeds have the highest chance of success if they are planted in prepared soil that has been tilled and is free of weeds and rocks.

Seed/soil contact

Effective soil/seed contact occurs when soil is in direct contact with the seeds that are planted. Seeds that are completely surrounded by soil have a higher chance of germinating than those that are left on top of the soil. Here are three tips to remember:

• Plant seeds at appropriate depth. This can vary from 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch, depending on grass type. For successful germination, be sure to follow the requirements of the particular seed.

• Provide soil with moisture. Seeds will not germinate of they are not given adequate amounts of water. Once watered, firm the soil around the seeds. This can be done by hand in small areas. Many chose to use a roller presser as well.

• Plant seeds in the appropriate season. Different seed types have different temperature and climate requirements, but most are planted in the spring or fall. Soils must be warm enough, or seeds will not germinate. Excessively warm soils can cause seeds to spoil.

Now, you are ready to plant!

Popular seed planting methods

• Planting on bare, prepared soil. This is probably the best choice. As mentioned above, a prepared bed consists of tilling, removing weeds, grass and other plants and rocks. If you have an established lawn that you are getting rid of, this can be a lot of work, but worth it in the end.

• Using aeration on an established lawn. This method is used in places where patches of grass have died. In order for seeds to successfully germinate, consider aeration, which uses spikes or plugs to produce holes in the soil. Since seeds will have to compete with existing grass for moisture and nutrients, it is wise to use a higher amount of seed, as a percentage of seed will probably not germinate.

• Placing seeds on top of soil. In general, this doesn't work very well with many warm season grasses, whose seeds should be planted beneath soil. It does, however, work well if you are planting some types of cool season grass, such as ryegrass. Other cool season grass seeds can be raked into the soil, which still proves effective for seed germination.

• Planting early in the season. Although this method is not overly successful, it can be done with unhulled seeds. Unhulled seeds have a layer of protection on them, and will stay dormant until temperatures and weather conditions are ideal for germination. If planting hulled seeds in the off season, however, you run the risk of seeds never germinating.

• Planting seeds on snow. Cool season grasses can be planted in the winter. Grass seeds such as ryegrass, fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass will grow successfully in the springtime after snow has melted off, which carries seeds downwards into soil. Obviously, this will not work for warm season grasses.

• Hydroseeding. A hydroseeding machine eliminates hand planting. It pushes the seeds into the top soil, ensuring better germination. Seeds soak within the machine before planting. Usually, a professional landscaper uses this machine for planting.

• Utilizing erosion mats. These mats cover seeds, helping to protect them from the elements, especially rain, which can cause them to wash away. If using erosion mats, make sure to still plant seeds beneath soil. Mats are not a substitute for soil.