How to Till for Grass Seeding

The cost of seeding grass is much lower than sodding a new lawn, but it's still an investment, and you don't want the grass to fail to root and grow. If you're planning to seed a new lawn, you will get best results by preparing the soil properly. Tilling before seeding gives new grass a soft, malleable bed into which the grass plants can sink their roots.

Glyphosate-based herbicide
Shovel
Tiller
Soil amendments (optional)
Rake

Instructions

- 1
  Kill existing weeds and grass using a glyphosate-based herbicide. Wait for the herbicide to dissipate from the soil before tilling; consult the herbicide's labeling for brand-specific instructions on how long to wait. For example, one product advises waiting for three days.
- 2
  Remove all large debris, such as rocks, sticks and patio furniture. Use a shovel to pry up any partially buried rocks.
- 3
  Till the soil to a depth of 4 to 5 inches with the tiller. Travel up and down the yard in straight rows to avoid missing an area of soil. Continue until the entire yard has been tilled and the soil particles are roughly the size of a marble.
- 4
  Add any needed soil amendments if desired. Till the area again to mix in the amendments.
- 5
  Walk throughout the area, removing any large rocks you've unearthed by tilling. Use a shovel to remove large, partially buried rocks.
- 6
  Level and smooth out the tilled soil with a rake. Fill in any holes, smooth out any hills, and create a gentle slope running away from your house.

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