How to Grow Grass in a Sandbox

Planting grass in a sandbox is a good way to turn a childhood toy into a planter. Depending on the size of the sandbox, it can be used to grow grass for your pet's pleasure or as a focal point in the yard. The key to this type of planter is to create a potting soil mixture from scratch and use the correct grass species for your area. Maintaining this type of planter is not a challenge if the soil is kept consistently moist during the growing season.

Sandbox, 6" deep
Shovel
10 lbs.of garden loam
10 lbs.of peat moss
10 lbs of vermiculite or perlite
14-14-14 slow release fertilizer
Wheelbarrow
Rake
Watering can or hose
1 lb. grass seed variety according to the location
Straw
Rain gauge

Instructions

- 1
  
  Mix the peat moss, garden loam and vermiculite completely.
  
  Cover the area where the sandbox planter will be placed with a landscape cloth and lay the planter on that area. Mix 10 lbs. each of peat moss, garden loam and vermiculite or perlite in a wheelbarrow. Add 14-14-14 slow-release fertilizer to the mixture according to directions and mix.
- 2
  
  A garden rake is a great tool to use when seeding grass.
  
  Place the soil in the sandbox and smooth the surface completely with a rake.
- 3
  Water the soil gently with a watering can or hose and let it set for 24 hours before seeding.
- 4
  
  Making furrows in the soil helps create a planting pattern.
  
  Make shallow furrows in the prepared soil with a rake. Plant the grass seed in the furrows and cover with 1/4 of an inch of soil.
- 5
  
  Straw will prevent birds from eating the grass seed.
  
  Place a thin layer of straw on top of the grass seed and insert a rain gauge into the soil. Water the grass seed.
- 6
  Water twice a day until the grass begins to sprout. Gradually reduce watering to once a week. Using the rain gauge, check to see if the grass receives one inch of rain a week and adjust your watering accordingly.

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