How to Seed a New Lawn to Make the Seeds Stick & Stay

Talk to your local agriculture extension agent to find the best type of grass for your growing region. Horticulture divides grass into two broad categories, warm season and cool season. Warm-season grasses grow mainly during the summer and become dormant in the winter. Cool-season grasses grow during the spring and fall and become dormant during the hottest part of summer and the coldest part of winter. Warm-season grasses grow well in the southern half of the country and cool-season grasses grow best in the cooler and moister areas of the country. Once you have selected your seed, be sure that you get enough to cover your entire yard.

Till up the yard to about 3 inches deep to prepare for the seed.

Rake the entire yard. Level out uneven areas and remove or break down large clumps.

Spread a 2-inch layer of compost over the planting area. Use a metal rake to smooth out the area. Spread a thin layer of top soil over the compost.

Roll over the yard with a weighted lawn roller. Roll in rows in one direction first, then back in the other direction to make sure everything gets packed down evenly.

Fill the seed spreader up with grass seeds. Starting in one corner of the lawn, spread the seeds east to west in rows. Make the rows as straight as possible. If you have enough seed left, spread it from corner to corner. The goal is to get the best seed coverage possible.

Spread a second layer of seed by starting in the opposite corner and criss-crossing the previously made rows. This will ensure good seed coverage.

Roll over the entire yard again in both directions with the weighted lawn roller. This will help the seeds make good contact with the soil so that they will stick.

Spread a thin layer of straw all over the seed to help protect it while it grows. Use the rake to spread the straw evenly.

Pound wooden stakes into the ground around the perimeter of the yard, using a rubber mallet. Tie brightly colored string across the stakes. This will help remind you and other people to stay off the lawn while the grass grows.