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The Process of Growing Grass

Growing grass is an easy way to create a new lawn. You generally can plant grass seeds at any time during the year, with cool season grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass and fescues growing most efficiently in the fall and spring. Plant warm season grasses including Zoysia and bermudagrasses at the beginning of their growing cycle in summer, according to American-Lawns.com.
  1. Cultivation

    • An important part in the process of growing grass is using a rototiller to till about 4 inches to 6 inches of your soil. Also, collect a sample of the soil and take it to your county extension office for testing to find out the pH level, or level of acidity, of your grass soil. The ideal pH level for the soil you use for growing grass is between 6.0 and 7.0. Adding powdered sulfur will boost your soil's pH level, while adding limestone at a rate of 50 pounds per 1,000 square feet increases the pH level. Additionally add sphagnum peat moss or topsoil to enrich the grass-growing soil as you till.

    Cleanup and Fertilization

    • The growing-grass process additionally involves removing debris from the surface of the soil. Pick up rocks or twigs on the soil, and use the back of a rake to smooth the soil out so that it's level. Then, add a starter fertilizer to your soil that features slow-release granules, releasing nutrients for several weeks. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet before spraying the area with water gently so that the soil settles.

    Seeding

    • Spreading seeds evenly over the soil is critical for ensuring that your grass seedlings develop correctly and do not choke one another out during the grass-growing process. Use a hand spreader or drop spreader to spread the seed according to the instructions on your seed packets. Then, cover the seeds with 1/4 inch of soil using a rake. Spread 1/2 of the seeds in one direction and the other 1/2 in the direction that forms a right angle to the first batch.

    Mulching and Watering

    • Place mulch such as straw on top of your soil to help the soil retain moisture and protect the grass seeds from outside temperature. Leave about 1 inch of open spaces of ground as you spread the mulch to ensure enough light and air reach the seeds. Give your grass seeds water each day, watering the soil gently but deeply. You should see grass growing in about three weeks. When the grass reaches about 2 inches to 3 inches tall, give it just an inch of water a week.