How Much Grass Seed Should I Put Down?

Warm Season Grasses

• In his book "Turfgrass Maintenance Reduction Handbook" (2000), Doug Brede recommends using 6 to 8 pounds of bahia grass, 1 to 3 pounds of hulled Bermuda grass, 1/2 to 6 pounds of centipedegrass, 2 to 3 pounds of St. Augustine grass, 2 to 3 three pounds of zoysia japonica and 2 to 4 pounds of kikuyu grass seeds for every 1,000 square feet of ground.

Cool Season Grasses

• Doug Brede recommends using 1 to 2 pounds of colonial bentgrass, creeping bentgrass or highland bentgrass, 2 to 3 pounds of Kentucky bluegrass, 3 1/2 to 6 pounds of chewings fescue, 4 to 8 pounds of hard fescue or sheep fescue, 4 to 6 pounds of slender creeping fescue, 6 to 15 pounds of tall fescue and 4 to 8 pounds of perennial ryegrass seed per 1,000 square feet of ground.

Seeding Time

• The best time to start a lawn with seed is during late summer, preferably between August 15 and September 15, recommends Jerry Baker in "Jerry Baker's Lawn Book" (1987). This is because the soil moisture and weather temperature are most optimal at this time for seed germination and establishment. The potential of weed competition is also minimal at this time. Planting later than this in fall does not allow seeds to get established before cold winter weather. Seeds planted at this time also tend to go into a dormant state and do not germinate until warmer spring weather.

Soil

• Prepare the soil well prior to planting seed, as improper soil conditions are among the main reasons for poor establishment of grass. Remove all debris and rocks from the top 1 foot of the ground. Fix low-lying areas with proper grading, as these will create problem spots in the lawn later. Soak the ground well to check for depressions, and fill in with soil. Amend soils with compost or topsoil at the recommended depth of 2 to 3 inches. This is about 3 cubic yards for every 1,000 square feet. Lightly water seeded areas three to four times every day until seeds have germinated. Do not mow until grass is 1 ½ to 2-inches-tall.