Make the right grass choice for your lawn

There are several different ways to go about planting grass. The good news is, a healthy lawn is just a few hours of work away, but before you start planting you have to make some decisions about the correct species of grass for your yard. There are dozens of options available commercially in nearly every state.

Once you’ve decided on a type of grass to plant, it’s time to decide how you’re going to plant it. There are two main methods of residential planting:

SEEDING:

Nearly every type of widely-available grass species are available in seed form. Seeds are a simple, inexpensive way to grow new grass but there are some drawbacks. Seeds take far longer to sprout than other methods which means more time for something to go wrong, from drought to disturbance.

Talk to a professional to determine how much seed you need for your size lawn. You’ll need to purchase a few supplies such as a germinator, a nitrogen fertilizer, and a long hose/sprinkler. First, spread the seed evenly across your lawn using a spreader. After you’ve spread the seed, apply a layer of top-dress such as peat moss to help nourish the grass. A heavy watering of 6-8 inches is the next, most important step, followed by a fertilization routine a few weeks later once the grass starts to sprout.

Warm season seeds are best spread in the late spring, before the weather warms up. Conversely, cool-season grasses should be planted in late fall, before the first freeze. If seeding seems too complicated, call a professional in your area to help you with a planting routine.

SODDING:

Laying sod is another viable way to plant a lush, healthy lawn. Benefits of sod include quick growth and immediate aesthetic results, but sod can be expensive and difficult to apply correctly. If you’re considering sod for your yard, visit a local nursery to talk specifics.

Before you lay sod you’ll need to place an order with a local distributor for the type of grass you need. Once it comes in, prepare the soil by tilling roughly 6-8 inches of soil so the sod has somewhere to take root. Leveling off the loose soil, begin laying the sod sheets starting with the longest and straightest line in your yard to ensure even distribution. Continue until the entire yard has been covered and cut strips of sod to fill in gaps if necessary.

As with seeding, sod lawns need to be watered aggressively, particularly in the beginning. The first week (especially if you live in a hot climate) you should water the lawn at least once a day, and mow when the blades of grass reach about 3”.

If you’re unsure how to go about planting grass in your lawn, call a pro in your area to find out more about your options. The number of choices may seem overwhelming but a qualified professional can help make sure your lawn grows fast and healthy!

TruGreen will gladly visit your property as often as needed between scheduled visits to make any necessary adjustments and to ensure your satisfaction.

Getting Started with TruGreen

  1. Call or fill out the form above to reach a lawn care specialist.
  2. Know the square footage of your yard, as well as any specific areas of concern.
  3. With the help of your specialist, create a customized lawn care plan that meets your lawn’s needs.
  4. Schedule your Healthy Lawn Analysis2 to start your service.