There's nothing like the feeling of walking barefoot on soft, lush grass in the summer, but first, you've got to plant it! Instead of spending a lot of money on sod, head to your local garden center and pick up some grass seed. In this article, we'll make it easy to figure out what you need, and we'll give you simple step-by-step instructions for planting your grass seed.

1

Choose grass seed that thrives in your region.

  1. Check a grass zone map to determine if you need a cool, warm, or transitional variety. Buying a variety that's suited to your area's temperature really helps the grass seed germinate. You can even look for special varieties designed for sun-, shade-, or drought-tolerant regions. For instance, most shade varieties are a blend of grass seeds designed to grow with minimal sunlight. Here are a few grass varieties based on region to get you started:[1]
    • Cool region (cold winters and mild summers): ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, bentgrass
    • Transitional region (hot summers and cold winters): Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, zoysiagrass, thermal blue, perennial ryegrass
    • Warm region (hot summers and mild winters): Bermuda grass, buffalo grass, zoysiagrass, centipede grass
    • Search for a grass zone map to see where your region falls. In general, most of the upper U.S. is the cool region, while the southernmost area is the warm region. In between these two areas is the transition region.[2]
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2

Wait until the temperatures are moderate.

  1. Plan to sow your grass seed when it has the best chance of germinating. If you're planting a warm-season variety, wait until the temperatures are around 80 °F (27 °C)—usually in late spring or summer. For a cool-season variety, plant when the temperatures are around 60 to 75 °F (16 to 24 °C)—usually in late summer or early fall.[3]
    • If you're in a transition zone, read the seed variety on the back of the package. It's either a warm or cool variety, so follow the manufacturer's instructions about when to plant it.
    • Pay attention to your local forecast before you plant. You don't want to plant before a heatwave or period of frost is about to hit.
3

Test your soil's pH level.

  1. Use a soil test kit to determine if your soil's within the ideal 6 to 7.5 pH range. You can buy a soil test kit from your local hardware or garden supply store. Collect a sample of soil and mix it with the test kit solution, or pour distilled water into your soil and insert a pH testing probe. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for either type of test. Then, wait a few minutes to read the results.[4]
    • If you're not up for testing the soil yourself, collect a soil sample and send it off to your county's extension office. For a fee, they'll test your soil and send you the results.
    • If you're not concerned that your soil's pH is off, feel free to skip this step.
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4

Amend the soil's pH if necessary.

  1. Add a base material to bring up the pH, or add organic materials to lower the pH. If your soil is below 6, it means the soil is too acidic for grass seed. Mix powdered limestone or wood ashes into the soil. If the pH is over 7.5, it's too alkaline for grass seed. Mix peat moss into the soil to amend it. Test your soil again once you've made adjustments.[5]
    • If your soil's pH is way over 8 pH, it's very alkaline and you should probably try aluminum sulfate or sulfur.
    • You can find these soil-amending products at most hardware stores, garden supply stores, or online.
6

Grade the soil.

  1. Rake the area smooth and run a lawn roller over the soil to make it level. Take a heavy garden rake and drag it from high or sloped parts of the soil over to low spots or dips. Then, fill a cylindrical lawn roller with water and roll it across the area to smooth out the surface of the soil.[7]
    • If the soil is very clay-heavy, add about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of sand across the entire planting area before you rake it. The sand helps with drainage and causes the soil to dry out faster.
    • If you don't have a lawn roller, you can simply rake over the area. A lawn roller is useful if you're trying to grow grass over an area that has molehills or deep ridges in the soil.
7

Spread the grass seed over the soil.

  1. Walk across the soil and use a drop or rotary spreader to scatter the grass seed. If you're sowing a small space, pour the grass seed into a handheld spreader and crank the handle as you walk. If you've got a large area, use a walk-behind spreader. This looks like a bucket on wheels that distributes the seeds as you push it.[8]
    • It's better to use too little grass seed than too much. If you put too much grass seed down, the seedlings will have to fight for nutrients and you'll end up with thinner grass.
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8

Spread fertilizer over the area.

  1. Scatter fertilizer that's high in nitrogen (N) like 15-15-15 fertilizer. Although the fertilizer won't make the seeds germinate faster, the nitrogen can stimulate growth once the seedlings appear. This helps establish the grass. You can also use a high-nitrogen fertilizer that contains phosphorus or potassium like 24-4-12—these also support grass growth.[9]
    • Plan on spreading 1 12 to 2 pounds (0.68 to 0.91 kg) of nitrogen fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet.
    • It's a good idea to wear protective gloves when handling the fertilizer.
    • If you've got a friend helping you, one of you can sow the grass seed while the other spreads the fertilizer.

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    When can you plant grass seed?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Spring is a good time to plant grass seed, though fall can also work if you start early enough. Grass seedlings germinate and grow best when temperatures are warm but not hot or cold.
  • Question
    How can I grow grass fast?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Use sod rolls to get instant grass. Or plant grass seeds in the spring, mulch lightly with straw or compost, and keep the soil moist by watering for short durations several times a day. Do not walk on the lawn for at least 2 months.
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Things You’ll Need

  • Grass seed
  • Fertilizer
  • Organic material like peat moss or straw
  • Rotary tiller
  • Rake
  • Shovel
  • Hose
  • Gloves
  • Tiller, optional
  • Soil test kit, optional
  • Seed spreader, optional

About This Article

Lauren Kurtz
Co-authored by:
Professional Gardener
This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. This article has been viewed 48,887 times.
8 votes - 90%
Co-authors: 16
Updated: June 20, 2022
Views: 48,887
Categories: Growing Grasses
Article SummaryX

To grow grass, start by preparing your yard by removing any existing sod, testing the pH of the soil, trimming trees and bushes, and tilling and leveling the top layer of soil. Wait for the outside temperature to reach 75 to 85 °F, and use a rotary spreader to plant the seeds, raking them to about 1/4 inch deep in the soil. Then, water the soil lightly for about 10 minutes and be sure not to walk in that area. As it grows, water it once per day. Once your grass is established, mow it with a sharp blade and pull any weeds! For tips from our Horticulturist reviewer on how to care for your grass, read on!

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