Four Easy Steps to Establishing a New Lawn

The best time to establish a new lawn is late summer or early spring. You’ll get more satisfying results when you plant in these cooler months.

1. Till and fertilize the soil.

• Till soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches.
• Broadcast lime and lawn starter fertilizer, following recommended rates and mix into soil.
• Rake level and smooth, removing rocks, sticks and old sod clumps.
• Roll the area with a heavy roller in two directions to settle the soil.
• Rake again to level and loosen the surface.

2. Sow seed.

• Evenly broadcast seed at rate recommended for your mixture—typically 3 to 10# per 1000 square feet.
• Use one-half the rate and seed twice at right angles to ensure uniform coverage.
• Rake or drag lightly, to incorporate the seed into the top quarter inch of soil.
• Firmly pack or roll the seedbed.

3. Apply mulch.

• Evenly spread a clean, weed-free hay or straw mulch (or comparable product), at a rate of 50# per 1000 square feet.
• Mulch is important to retain surface moisture, prevent soil from washing, and protect seedlings from sun and wind.

4. Water.

• Thoroughly water soil using a fine spray sprinkler to prevent seed and soil from getting washed away.
• Keep seedbed moist to a depth of 1 inch during the germination period (14 to 21 days).
• As seedlings sprout and become established, gradually reduce water, but don’t allow soil to dry out until grass is well established
  (45 to 60 days).
• After 60 days the lawn can be treated as an established lawn requiring 1 inch of water per week while actively growing.

Your Beautiful Lawn: Tips

• Mow your new lawn when it reaches 3 to 4 inches.
• Mow higher: Keep your mower’s cutting height set
  at approximately 3 inches.
• Important: Keep mower blades sharp.
• No more than a third of the growth
  should be removed with each cutting.
• Fertilize and water at regular intervals.
• Use weed prevention products as needed.