How to Prepare a Yard for Seeding

While seeding is one of the most cost-effective ways to establish a lawn, grass will have a hard time establishing roots if the yard hasn't been prepared for seeding. In fact, gardeners should conduct a soil pH test six to three months before planting to make sure that their soil's pH range matches their grass' preferred pH range. It can take at least six months to alter a range with soil amendments. Plan to seed your warm-season turf in the spring or cool-season grass seeds in the early fall. Summer seeding puts your seeds at risk for drying out.

Herbicide
Tiller
Rake
Rotary fertilizer spreader
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Water your lawn area for two to four days to encourage weed growth. Weeds that are vigorously growing are easier to kill than dormant weeds, because they absorb the toxins from the herbicide through their leaves.
- 2
  Spray your lawn with a herbicide that contains glyphosate on a dry day. Remove all vegetation from the yard area. Vegetation such as weeds competes with the grass for sunlight, air and the soil's nutrients. Cover surrounding ornamental plants with a piece of plastic to protect them from the spray of the herbicide.
- 3
  Break up the first 6 inches of top soil with a tiller. Root systems have a hard time breaking through compacted soil. Use a rake to create a slight slope from the house out to the street or driveway. Grass should never be sitting in standing water.
- 4
  Pour a starter fertilizer into your rotary fertilizer spreader. Use a starter fertilizer with a NPK amount of 5-20-10 and apply 20 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. Work the fertilizer into the first 2 to 4 inches of top soil. Water the area.
- 5
  Water the lawn area, but avoid saturating the soil. Seeds need moist soil in order to germinate.

The Best Fall Lawn Care

Information on Kentucky 31 Grass Seed

Lawn Basics