How to Plant a Yarrow Lawn

Yarrow, known botanically as Achillea millefolium and colloquially as common yarrow or milfoil, is recommended by Washington State University as a lawn substitute or ground cover. Common yarrow is a perennial herb that uses underground rhizomes to propagate itself and quickly spread. Some may consider the plant to be an invasive weed. The drought tolerance of the plant makes it a good substitute for traditional lawn grass species that require more water, fertilizer and maintenance.

Tilling tools
Fixed tine rake
Yarrow seeds
Clean sand
Large clean bucket
Weighted lawn roller

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare a soil bed for spring planting of your yarrow lawn. After the last hard frost, till the soil up to a depth of at least 6 inches. Remove all roots, weeds, rocks, soil clumps, other plants and any other debris from the soil. Rake the soil surface until it is level and relatively smooth.
- 2
  Mix 1/2 lb. of common yarrow seed with 1/2 lb. of clean sand for every 1,000 square feet of planting soil. Combine the two in a bucket, churning gently with your hands to combine evenly.
- 3
  Hand-cast the sand and seed mixture evenly over the surface of the soil.
- 4
  Nestle the seeds into the soil surface by walking with a weighted lawn roller over the entire seeded area. You want the seeds in direct contact with the soil but not buried deeply in the soil.
- 5
  Water lightly with a fine mist to wet the soil surface or hold off if rain is anticipated in the coming days.

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