How to Seed a New Lawn

In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook explains how to seed a new lawn.

Steps:

1. Remove all grass from yard with a gas-powered sod cutter.
2. Loosen up the topsoil with a tiller.
3. Spread 1 inch of compost over the area, then till it into the soil.
4. Rake the soil smooth, making sure to fill low spots and removing high spots.
5. Use a drop spreader to apply coating of pulverized lime.
6. Add 12-25-12 starter fertilizer using a drop spreader.
7. Work lime and fertilizer into the soil with a rake.
8. Hand-broadcast an even layer of grass over the entire area.
9. Use leaf rake to lightly work seed into the soil.
10. Water lightly early each morning and again at noon.
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Pro Tip: Roger Cook, This Old House landscape contractor, advises generous seeding: “Don’t worry about waste. Seed is cheap; labor is expensive.” He recommends spreading double the amount of seed recommended on the package to ensure good germination and coverage.

When watering newly seeded areas, you only need enough water to moisten the seed so it can germinate—not the deep soaking an established lawn requires. Keep the top quarter-inch of soil barely moist by watering lightly once or twice a day, depending on the weather. Once the grass begins to sprout and grow, wait until it reaches 3 to 3½ inches high before mowing, and make sure the mower blade is sharp and fitted with a grass catcher so clippings won’t choke off the new seedlings’ roots.