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Planting Grass Seed in a New Backyard

Tips on Seeding Grass

Here are some helpful tips to help improve your seeding success when planting grass seed. After choosing the right type of grass you want for your backyard. You are ready for the work to begin.

If this a new home with just dirt I would suggest that you get a soil test done. A lot of time home builders back fill with soil that is not very rich in nutrients. Even if they tell you is good top soil, still get a test done. Then follow up by putting the needed nutrients in your soil before you seed.

4 Steps for Planting Grass Seed

Ground Preparation
The preparation will depend on what stage it was left in from the home builder. If you have just a rough grade more work will be involved. If it is finished graded out, with lose type top soil and graded smooth you will be ready for the planting your grass seed.

If it is just rough graded, its best to rototill it first at least 6 inches deep. You want to make sure that the large dirt clods are broken up, but not to fine.

Once you have rototilled the ground, the leveling begins. You can do this by using a large landscape racks or for larger yards you might want to rent a tractor with a box blade and a pulverizer.

After you have made sure the ground is level and drains away from your house you are almost ready for seeding.

If you have a sprinkler system, test it out to make sure you have good water coverage over the entire yard.

Seeding
When using a verticutter or slicer set the dial on the right setting suggested for the type of seed you are planting.

I have had a better uniform grass when I spread half the rate of the seed needed and then use the verticutter for putting the other half in th e ground. Verticut the soil in at least 2 different directions.

By hand seeding around the edges and working the seed in with a toothed hoe you will get better results.

After you have seeded you will want to a apply a starter fertilizer something like a 5-10-31 starter fertilizer.

Watering
Watering is the most important part of planting grass seed.

Always keep you ground and new seed wet, never ever let it dry out. But don't water to much to cause standing water or run off. Once the grass starts to break through the ground, keep watering for at least 4 to 6 days longer, at the same rate you have been. Once you start to see a good coverage you may be able to reduce watering.

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