How to Grow Grass With Topsoil

Growing grass is a fairly basic gardening task that requires little more that seeds, water and topsoil. Without the soil, the seeds will not germinate and start to grow, and without the water the grass will die before it grows strong. In some cases, you might need to amend the soil for better grass, but the most important thing is to make sure the seeds come in contact with the soil.

Rake
Tiller
Topsoil
Seed spreader
Grass seed
Straw
Sprinkler

Instructions

- 1
  Rake the soil to break up the ground and create small furrows for the seed to settle into. This also allows you to find rocks and twigs on the surface. Remove them from the lawn area. If you have rich topsoil, this is all you need to do.
- 2
  Till the soil if it is made of clay. Walk the tiller back and forth across the lawn. Cover the clay soil with 3 or 4 inches of rich topsoil and compost, and till it to mix the material with the clay. This improves drainage. Rake the soil smooth.
- 3
  Measure your lawn length and width, then multiply the numbers to determine the square footage. Read your seed package information to find out how much seed you need for your lawn size. Fill the spreader with half the seeds.
- 4
  Push the spreader over the lawn in rows to cast the seed. When you have spread seed over the entire lawn, fill the spreader with the other half of the seed and repeat in rows perpendicular to the first.
- 5
  Rake the topsoil lightly to cover the seeds with 1/4-inch of the soil. Seeds grow best if they are covered lightly.
- 6
  Shake straw over the lawn to cover the loose soil and seeds. The straw will help keep the soil and seeds from washing or blowing away.

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