The Grass Doctor

How do I Plant Grass Seed??

My back yard is very patchy and there are some huge spots of nothing but dirt. Its pretty shady so I bought some shady grass seed. I have a spreader but the dirt area with no grass is very compact. Ive never planted grass seed any tips? Also how long does it take to germinate? Hoe long do my two small dogs need to stay off it?

Public Comments

1. Turn over the soil,and spread a thick layer of seed over the turned over dirt.Spread some seed starter over that ,and gently rake in.Water every day for at least 2 weeks if it does not rain.A garden Weasel at your local nursery or Home Depot is great and easy to help turn the soil.Your grass should be up in about 10 days to 2 weeks.
2. You should rent a lawn slicer(verti-slicer), or slit-seeder. The best models are made by Bluebird. Spread the seed over the area in need, run the slicer at the deepest setting over where you spread the seed, in a criss-cross pattern(go one way then go 90 degrees across it) spread more seed over the slices it made in the dirt. You should be applying seed at a minimum of 7lbs per 1000 square feet, and apply a low nitrogen starter type fertilizer at 4 lbs per thousand feet. Water EVERYDAY for at least three weeks, until the ground is saturated and the water begins to set at the surface. Your new grass will appear in 1-2 weeks. Do not mow until it is nearly 6-8 inches tall, and make sure your blade has a freshly sharpened edge, as new grass has a very small root structure and dull blades will pull the entire plant out of the soil. And NEVER mow more than one third of the total length of at any time. (if your grass is 6" tall, only take off 2" or less), do not bag because grass stores it's nutrients in the tips of the blades, and letting the clippings fall to the ground allow these lost nutrients to be absorbed into the soil. Some people will tel you to apply lime to shady areas and it will make the grass grow, but this is only helpful if they are pine or cedar trees. Pay a trimmer to thin out your trees, allowing more light to the grass. Remember shady areas need about half the water of full sun areas. Keep the dogs off until the grass is established, may be up to 2 months, you must eliminate traffic on new grass. In the early fall, aerate the lawn, if only the shady areas. Soil gets compacted and is difficult for root structures to grow thru. Also the thatch layer is typically too thick on lawns that have not been aerated.
3. in rows 1/4 inch apart should do it