How to Plant a Lawn in Southeastern Virginia

Choose a variety of grass seed that will grow well in the intended lawn area. Since both northern and southern grasses can survive in Virginia, choose a grass variety based on the individual space. The National Gardening Association suggests Kentucky bluegrass or Bermuda grass for sunny areas, and fine fescues and St. Augustine grass for areas with some shade. Centipede grass tolerates poor soil better than most other grass varieties, and zoysiagrass tolerates heat, drought and shade. Keep in mind that many grass seeds come in a mixture of multiple types of seeds.

Prepare the soil for planting by tilling a layer of organic compost into the soil. The National Gardening Association recommends tilling to a minimum depth of 6 inches, but ideally tilling to a depth of 8 to 12 inches to improve aeration and add nutrients to the soil\\.

Spread grass seeds over the soil. Different types of grasses require more or fewer seeds in a given area, so check the seed packaging or ask nursery staff for directions regarding how thickly to spread the specific seed mixture. The University of Illinois suggests spreading 1 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet for Kentucky bluegrass, 3 to 4 pounds for mixtures of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, 3 to 5 pounds for mixtures of Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue and 6 to 9 pounds for tall fescues.

Press the grass seeds into the soil using the back of a rake to help them stay in place through waterings and wind.

Keep the soil moist but not overly wet as the lawn establishes itself.