How to Grow Grass Prior to Summer
- 1). Mow the area where the new grass will be planted using a lawn mower to cut down any weeds growing there. Wet the area with a garden hose equipped with a long-distance spray nozzle if the ground is hard. Allow this soaking to penetrate 4 inches beneath the surface. Wait 24 hours before tilling to give the ground a chance to dry a little. Till only when the soil is damp to avoid tilling mud and creating dirt clods.
- 2). Set the depth bar on the rototiller to a 4-inch depth. Rototill all the way around the perimeter of the area and then continue inward until the entire area has been tilled. Clean the accumulation of roots from the tiller's blades throughout the tilling process. Avoid excessive walking on areas that have already been tilled to avoid compacting soil.
- 3). Even out the tilled soil with a landscaping rake in a back-and-forth motion until the highs and lows have been leveled out. Walk backward while leveling the soil to to avoid leaving footprints. Fill a mechanical seed-spreading broadcaster with seed and apply 6 to 8 lbs. of seed per every 1,000 square feet of bare ground. Walk back and forth and then from side to side across the seed bed to ensure proper seed coverage. Apply 1/2-lb. of fertilizer per 1,000 square feet using the same seed broadcaster.
- 4). Rake the entire area with the landscaping rake to mix the seeds and fertilizer with the soil in a back-and-forth motion. Walk backwards while raking to cover your footprints. Sprinkle the ground lightly with water each day to keep the soil moist. Sprinkle 2 to 3 times a day if the temperature is hot. Keep the soil moist until the grass seed is 2 inches tall. Don't walk on the grass to avoid causing root damage and craters.
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