Whether you want your yard to look nicer or you are trying to increase the value of your home, there are plenty of reasons one would benefit from a lawn filled with grass. Among one of the reasons is that grass can help how you feel. It is true there are natural soothing effects to grass, and it has been tested and proven that patients next to a window that has a fresh green yard are more likely to heal quicker. Grass can work as a boundary between properties and therefore gives you a deeper sense of safety without you even realizing that it does. Another popular, but more practical reason for planting grass seed is to help catch the rain. A nice grassy lawn will soak in a lot more rainfall than a bare yard or hay field. These are just a couple of benefits that a homeowner will get from planting a nice fertile yard filled with green grass. Another factor when planting grass that you should take in is how it is good for the environment, because it is a natural filter. The grass in your yard actually filters out the rain and helps ensure that you there is not as many natural pollutants entering the purifiers underground. Also, there is a reason why a lot of sporting events are played on grass, because it is safer. That means that the grass seeds that you will be spreading can potentially help prevent injury to one of your friends or family members. The greatest thing about grass is that the seeds are not too expensive, and with a little “elbow grease” you can make all of the above improvements to your house without breaking the bank.
The Cost of Grass
There are many different kinds of grass seed. We will go over them later, but now I will discuss the cost of mid-grade bag of seed. Typically the average price for a bag of grass seed is near $3.50. That one bag will cover an area of approximately 3 square feet. I can’t give you an exact cost for your particular application, but I can give you those numbers to help you calculate with your lawn size. There are a few different grass cost calculators online if you know your size of yard that you are applying the grass seed to.
When to plant grass
There are many factors when trying to figure out the best time for you to plant grass seed in your yard, and that is the reason there is not a “go-to” answer. The main factor is your location and your climate. Typically you will want to spread the seed before or after summer, but I prefer Fall to Spring time. You want to plant at a time when there is not too much rainfall and that it will not be too hot. These are the main two reasons why I prefer the Fall season. In Fall you are pretty much over all the blistery hot days that will dry the seeds out, and there will not be the likely-hood of getting a torrential downpour that will wash away the seeds.
Different Kinds of Grass
There is a wide variety of seeds of different color, quality, and texture. Do not base your decision on any of these variations, because the main thing you want to worry about is what seed works best in your climate. Different seeds grow differently in different climates. I will try to sum up some sort of a guide for you, but I do recommend asking neighbors, family members, and maybe even the local hardware shop questions and what they recommend.
Perennial Ryegrass –Perennial Ryegrass is a cool climate grass that works well in the northwest and coastal west, but it does not do well in extreme cold or drought conditions.
Annual Ryegrass – Annual Ryegrass works in the same climates as Perennial Ryegrass, but it is better to cover slopes because of quick germination
Kentucky Bluegrass – Kentucky Bluegrass is one of the most common grasses used in the cool season areas of the U.S.
Bermuda Grass – Bermuda Grass is best for dry areas with heat. Therefore it works very well in Southern States.
How To Plant Grass
Let us begin by making sure that we have all the right tools and items that we need. What we need:
- Seed
- Spade or Hoe
- Grass Roller
- Seeder
- Starter Fertilizer
- Rake
Steps to take to plant grass seed:
1. First begin by tilling up your yard with a spade or your garden hoe. You do this by digging in to the soil a little bit and kind of turning it up. Be sure that the top of the soil is all smaller clumps so that the grass has its best opportunity at growing successfully. This is a lot easier if you have a piece of equipment called a tiller. These can usually be rented from stores that rent out equipment. Using the tiller there is not nearly as much manual work involved and you will be at the right depth.
2. Remove any and all debris such as rocks as they can hinder the germination of your grass seed. Also, be sure to try to make your land as level as possible at this point.
3. Next evenly spread your starter fertilizer.
4. After your starter fertilizer is spread you can spread out your seedlings. Try to sprinkle about 10 -20 seeds per square inch. This part is grueling if you have a large yard and do not have a seeder. Personally I have found the best way to do this job is a seeder hooked to the back something mechanical like a 4-wheeler or tractor. That is my lazy way of doing it and is not recommended.
5. Get your rake out and cover the seeds and fertilizer up with a small amount of tilled up soil.
6. Use an empty roller to press the seed / fertilizer mixture into the yard. Just walk your roller down the same paths that you laid down the seeds in.
7. Last, but definitely not least, you need to water your yard a lot. Moisture is the key to having a healthy yard. Think of your yard as a baby and take care of it by watering it 2 or more times a day for at least 10 minutes at a time.
Tips:
Be in tune with the weather. Do not plant grass seeds on windy days or when there is a possibility of rain in large amounts in the weeks to come.
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