The Tips for Planting a Grass Lawn From Seed

Cool-Season Grass

• Lawn grass is divided into two main groups: cool-season and warm-season grass types. Cool-season grass thrives when temperatures are between 65 and 75 degrees F. For this reason, cool-season grass types are primarily grown in the northern United States. Seeds can be planted in the fall for a green turf until temperatures heat up in the summer. It is important when planting in the fall that your region has seen the last of dry spells or hot temperatures, which can prevent grass seed from germinating.

Warm-Season Grass

• Warm-season grass needs temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees F to grow. Gardeners in the southern United States plant this grass type in the early spring. Wait for all threats of frost to pass before planting a warm-season grass variety. For example, bermudagrass a popular warm-season type that needs soil temperatures above 80 degrees F for optimal root growth. Planting either one of these grass types in the summer can hinder the grass's ability to germinate during hot temperatures, states Roger Cook from This Old House.

Site Preparation

• Grass seeds cannot establish proper root development if the soil is compacted and if fertilizer is not applied at the time of seeding. Till the first 6 to 8 inches of topsoil to break up the ground. Grade the soil away from the home, so that your grass is never growing in standing water. A starter fertilizer high in phosphorous -- such as an NPK ratio of 5-10-5 -- will encourage strong root development. Spread 20 lbs. of 5-10-5 fertilizer over 1,000 square feet. Work the fertilizer into the top 2 to 4 inches of topsoil.

Planting

• The amount of seed you distribute over an area depends on the grass variety you have chosen to grow. For example, Kentucky bluegrass needs to be distributed at a rate of 2 to 3 lbs. per 1,000 square feet, states Texas A&M University. Distribute half of the amount you want to use vertically back and forth across the lawn. Broadcast the rest of the seed horizontally back and forth across the lawn to achieve an even spread. The soil must be moist before and after seeding to help with seed germination.