How to Grow Grass Fast

Determine the right type of grass for your location. Visit your local county extension for grass seeds suitable for your local climate. Choose from cool-season, warm-season and transition grasses, depending on your location. For instance, cool-season grasses like tall fescue and bent grass germinate in seven to 10 days, while Bermuda is a fast-growing warm-season grass.

Prepare the site carefully to assist fast germination and rapid grass growth. Till the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches and remove debris, stones and other objects that disrupt contact with the soil. Test the pH of the soil and amend it with sulfur or lime so it falls between 6.0 and 7.0, the ideal range for most grasses. Add a good starter fertilizer along with shovelfuls of organic compost to the area and rake until level.

Pregerminate the grass seeds before planting by placing the seeds in a bucket filled with moist compost for four days so they swell up. Spread the seeds on a dry floor for 12 hours before planting over the soil.

Spread pregerminated seeds over the soil using a mechanical seed spreader. Ideally, spread 1 to 2 lbs. of seed per 1,000 square foot area. Rake the seeds to a depth of 1/4 inch to establish good contact with the soil, and cover lightly with compost mulch. Irrigate the soil frequently until the seeds germinate, which takes five to seven days if pregerminated.

Water the grass regularly to provide the roots sufficient moisture for optimal growth. Use a soaker hose to irrigate the soil deeply but infrequently, preferably once a week, to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Feed the grass a high-nitrogen fertilizer once every four months, in proportion to the size of the lawn to avoid over- or under-fertilizing.

Pull out weeds as soon as they emerge from the ground to prevent them from competing with the grass for soil moisture and nutrients. Treat pests such as grubs, sod worms and army webworms with an insecticide to keep them from reducing grass vigor and growth.