How to Make out a Lawn From a Dirt Field

Soil Preparation

• 1

  Grade the dirt with a landscaping rake to smooth it out and remove large stones.

• 2

  Cover the dirt with a layer of topsoil and compost 4 to 6 inches deep. Add sand to the mix if you live in an area which receives a lot of rain to improve the drainage.

• 3

  Mix the topsoil/compost mix with the dirt by running over it with a rototiller set at a depth of 6 inches.

• 4

  Fill a lawn roller one-third of the way with water, then roll it over the soil to compact it.

Planting Seed

• 5

  Apply starter fertilizer that has a ratio of 1:1:1 or 1:2:1 to the soil. The ratio measures the proportions of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the fertilizer.

• 6

  Add a heavy layer of seed to the soil with a seed spreader. Make one pass going up and down the field, and a second pass going back-and-forth. Seed the lawn on a calm, dry day to prevent the seeds from being blown away or washed away.

• 7

  Lay a 1/2-inch layer of topsoil over the seeds with your hands. This protects the seeds from being washed away or eaten by birds.

• 8

  Walk over the seeded area with a lawn roller, making two passes as you did when applying the seed.

• 9

  Water the seeded area with a fine, misty spray. Apply the water every other day until the seed begins to germinate, and continue for two weeks after that. At that point, add a day between watering until you are only watering the lawn once weekly. Stay off the lawn while it is taking root.

• 10

  Mow the grass when the blade height reaches 4 inches or higher, cutting off no more than an inch to allow the grass to establish a deep root system.

Laying Sod

• 11

  Apply a high-phosphorous starter fertilizer to the soil, then lightly water it.

• 12

  Begin laying strips of sod around the perimeter of the field. Water each piece of sod until it is thoroughly soaked before laying the next piece.

• 13

  Continue installing strips of sod using the same method, working in towards the center of the field. If you come across any oddly-shaped angles or objects, or have excess sod, cut the excess sod away with trowel that has sharpened edges or a utility knife.

• 14

  Water the sod twice daily for the first two weeks after installation, then reduce the watering to every other day for another two weeks. Use enough water to keep the soil moist to a depth of 1 to 2 inches.