how to seed a lawn
Seeding a lawn from scratch is not as intimidating as it might seem. Like gardens, we get to experience a miracle of Nature as we see the initial sprout sticking up out of the ground, then watch in wonder as it thickens and grows into some green expanse we can be proud of. There are a few things to pay attention to, but I can tell you now, grass seed is a most reliable grower, so one can relax and enjoy after a few simple tasks are known and adhered to.
Make sure the surface is smooth enough to consider having a lawn on it, first. Final grading should reveal the surface dimensions and slopes you really do want. Also, try and determine the soil is an adequate medium for your eventual busy and hungry little grass plants. Grass requires a pretty constant diet of water and nutrients, either in the form of rainfall, in the case of water, or from bacteriological sources in the organic material beneath the surface. Make sure there is organic matter in the soil when preparing a lawn. Compost of some type should have been tilled in thoroughly, allowing a good bacteriological base. Once this is establishes, and the raking is done, then casting the seed is pretty much child’s play. Make sure the seed is dispersed as uniformly as possible.
Once the seed is spread, I like to either cover it with a small sheen of compost but this purpose can be arrived at by passing the back of a spring rake over all the seed, thus surrounding the small seed pods with something that will insulate a bit and retain water. It also can protect from the beating sun or even from frost. I like also to run a half filled or less lawn roller over the seeds to further insure some insulation and press them deeper into the soil. After this, water adequately but no too much and watch it grow.
