Grass Seeding to Achieve a Green Lawn

The best time to seed turf grass is in spring or early fall.

With the right seed, a perfectly lush and green lawn isn’t hard to achieve. But the process doesn’t begin or end with picking a seed.

Here is a deeper look at what goes into grass seeding:

Pick the seed

Before planting, you must pick the right seed. The best seed is a native species of grass that won’t be invasive to the ecosystem. But for those who need something more specific, here are some seeding ideas:

• Bermuda grass is best for southern climates. It is strong and good at handling high heat and droughts.

• Zoysia grows slowly but tolerates shade, heat, and drought, so it will grow nicely in hotter climates, even if it doesn’t get much direct sunlight.

• Saint Augustine is good for sandy soil that’s common in coastal areas.

• Centipede grass is also low-maintenance and grows well in warmer climates.

• Fescue, by contrast, grows better in cooler places or areas where the falls and winters are colder.

• Kentucky bluegrass is common in the northern parts of the country and grows best in places where summers don’t exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

When to seed

The best time to seed turf grass is in spring or early fall. The reason is that soil temperatures are moderate this time of the year. Grass grows best when seeded in soil above 50 degrees and below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prepare the soil

Don’t seed unprepared, or else there may be unpleasant surprises. Test the soil beforehand to figure out the pH and nutrient levels. The soil will give you a good idea of how well the grass will grow and indicate what could be improved to make the environment healthier for the grass.

How to seed

The grass should grow evenly to give a distinct, perfect lawn look. Therefore, distribute the seeds carefully so the grass can grow uniformly. Rake them gently so they make contact with the soil but aren’t buried too deeply. Put a thin straw or mulch over the seeded patches to protect the seeds from birds and decay.

Water the patches lightly but often after seeding. The soil should be consistently moist but not too wet so the seeds can grow without rotting. Watering too much might also move the seeds or cause fungi to grow, which is equally undesirable.