When Yvonne Lawley wrote her research proposal for a study of cover crops, she was specific about the wording of the title: Testing the cover crop hypothesis across Prairie Canada.

Its the word hypothesis that grabs you. What could be theoretical about cover crops? Some farmers have been using them for decades to help build soil, reduce erosion, graze animals and more. The practice is common in Ontario and Quebec, as well as in the Northern Great Plains region of the U.S. Whats not to know?

Well, when it comes to the Canadian Prairies, quite a bit, says Lawley, an assistant professor in the department of plant science at the University of Manitoba. Our prairie environment is much more variable and more prone to extremes compared to other areas where cover crops are regularly used.

Lawley says the thinking behind cover crops on the Prairies has shifted since the time they were considered only for green fallow. The reasons why we might want to add cover crops are very diverse soil health, reducing erosion, extending grazing, reducing inputs so there is now a very diverse range of goals.

And thats why I put the word hypothesis in there because farmers are hearing about cover crops everywhere, but here in this environment, we dont have a lot of data to show how they actually work. So with funding from Western Grains Research Foundation, Lawley is leading a team of scientists and graduate students for a new five-year project that aims to find some answers.

To generate this data, Lawley has set up a large-plot crop rotation experiment at four sites across the Prairies (Carman, Man.; Lethbridge, Alta.; Saskatoon and Redvers in Saskatchewan) representing a range of soil types and moisture conditions.

There are two main treatments at each site a four-year annual crop rotation that includes cover crops and the same rotation without cover crops. Third and fourth treatments will act as checks and reflect typical farming practice a two-year short wheat-canola rotation and a four-year planting of alfalfa or alfalfa-grass mix).

For the first two treatments, cash and cover crops were chosen to reflect regional practices, with wheat and canola at every site, plus a second cereal crop and a legume suited to each location (soybeans in Manitoba and pea in Alberta and Saskatchewan, for example). Cover crops include legumes (like clover), brassicas (such as radish) and grasses (fall rye, for example). All sites will use direct seeding and minimum till, although the Saskatoon site includes one high-disturbance crop (potatoes) for comparison.

In some ways its very simple were comparing two rotations, one with and one without cover crops, Lawley says. Whats not so simple is that the rotations are fully phased at each site. This means that all crops will be present in all years of the study, thereby removing weather as a factor in the results.

Lawley and her team believe this work will help to definitively show if cover crops can be reliably grown on the Prairies in the first place and if so, their effect on subsequent crops in terms of yield, nutrient availability, input costs, pest control and soil health. Were going to be doing an economic analysis and look at the impact on crop production and the soil, she says. Whats the benefit of that living root? Were going to try to put some numbers to that.

The experiment also offers a golden opportunity to study the effect of cover crops on nitrogen cycling. Nitrogen needs to be available in the soil when the crops need to use it, and researchers want to know if cover crops help or hinder that process.

The study will also look at the effect of cover crops on greenhouse gas emissions. We want to know if storing nitrogen in cover crop biomass living or dead impacts nitrogen loss in the early spring, which is when most N2O emissions are generated, Lawley says.

In some ways, we already know we can do this, Lawley says, explaining that early adopters of cover crops have shown it can work on their farms. But others are still wondering if its worth their time to grow cover crops, so were doing this work for them, and also to produce information for agronomists, who get asked questions about cover crops all the time, and need local research to refer to.

The team has just wrapped up its second field season, so its an exciting time for the data crunchers. In the first year we got baseline samples, says Lawley. Were at the point now where grad students are coming on board to do the intensive sampling and getting all our measurements.

And farmers dont have to wait until 2022 to find out what Lawley and her team are learning along the way check out #PrairieCoverCrops. Social media is a real enabler of cover crops and soil health information for farmers, Lawley says. Its key for knowledge transfer and for researchers to know what questions farmers are asking. People with good ideas could be so isolated before social media its been a game-changer.

Go here to see the original:
Finding the value of cover crops for Western Canada - Country Guide

1. Clear the area. Kill weeds and any remaining poor-looking grass with a non-selective herbicide about 2 weeks before you want to seed your lawn. After everything is completely dead, rake the area to remove the debris.

2. Prep for success.Now is a great time to core aerate the area if your soil is really compact. (Learn more about aerating here.) After aerating, rake the area level and loosen the top inch of soil. Then add a 1-inch layer of Scotts LawnSoil evenly across the entire planting area. Its specifically formulated with a blend of rich, composted materials to provide an excellent growing environment for young seedlings.

3. Select your grass seed.Choose a Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed that is right for your location. Do you live in the north and need a grass type that stays green in cooler temperatures, or do you live in the south and need a grass type that stays green during the hot summer months? Be sure to also take into consideration the growing conditions in your area: How much sun? How much wear and tear from children and family pets? If you need help finding a grass type that matches your growing conditions, check out our Identify Your Grass article.

4. Spread your grass seed.Once youve selected your grass seed and your soil is prepped, its time to seed. This is the easy part. Just fill up your Scotts spreader with grass seed, adjust the spreader settings according to the label directions (use the New Lawn coverage rate) and apply.

5. Feed for growth.After youve spread your grass seed, apply Scotts Turf Builder Starter Lawn Food for New Grass to provide developing grass seedlings much-needed nutrients so the young root system can grow deeper, faster. If you're reseeding with Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrasses or fescues, apply Scotts Turf Builder Starter Lawn Food for New Grass Plus Weed Preventer instead. It not only gives developing seedlings needed nutrients but also prevents listed weeds like dandelion and crabgrass from sprouting for up to 6 weeks.

6. Water daily.Proper watering is a critical step to seeding success. Keep the soil surface moist by watering daily or as needed until the seedlings reach at least 2 inches tall.

Excerpt from:
How to Replant Lawn Grass - Lawn Repair - Scotts

Keeping a lawn lush and green requires consistent mowing, weeding, watering, fertilizing and more. If your lawn is particularly large, it may make sense to hire a full-service lawn care provider. Whether you take a DIY approach or bring in the experts, maintaining your lawn requires a range of tasks.

Plan to mow the lawn often, allowing it stay longer than may seem convenient longer grass is healthier grass. The general rule is to cut off no more than a third of the grass blade. This helps prevent damage to the lawn as well as keeping weeds from taking root. Its also important to remove any weeds, then prevent new ones from growing. In spring, consider spraying a pre-emergent herbicide on your lawn to prevent crabgrass and other types of weeds from sprouting from seed. During other seasons, broadleaf weeds like dandelions can be pulled by hand or sprayed with weed killers. The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning, allowing the sun to help dry the grass. Make sure to thoroughly soak the lawn so that the water penetrates several inches into the ground.

Lawn care also requires feeding; look for a mixture of fast- and slow-release fertilizers that include nitrogen. Some lawns also benefit from aeration, which creates small holes to let air, water and nutrients penetrate the grass roots. Although most homeowners can manage these tasks on their own, a full-service lawn care company can handle them on a regular schedule, taking the guesswork out of maintaining a beautiful lawn.

See original here:
The 10 Best Grass Seeding Companies Near Me (with Free ...

When your sights are set on a thick, lush lawn, planting grass seed represents an investment of time, money, labor and hope. From seeding new lawns to repairing rough spots and renewing existing turf, proper timing separates sweet success from something less. Your best time for planting grass seed depends on the type of lawn grass you grow and where you live. Understanding your options and getting timing right helps you seize every opportunity for seeding success.Why Timing Matters

Grass grow fastest and strongest when your planting season aligns with the seeds' natural periods of active growth. Just as with other kinds of plants in your landscape, lawn grasses vary in their growth cycles and regional climate preferences.

Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrasses and tall fescues, including Kentucky 31 fescue, grow most vigorously during the cool temperatures of late summer and early fall. These grasses flourish across cooler northern climates and into the challenging transition zone," where cool and warm regions overlap.

Warm-season grasses,such as Bermudagrass, Bahiagrass,Centipede grassand Zoysia grass, peak in growth during the warmer temperatures of late spring and early summer. These grasses thrive in southern and western regions and up into the transition zone's southern reaches.

Whether you grow cool- or warm-season grasses, timing your seeding to take advantage of your grass type's natural periods of peak growth helps seed germinate and establish quickly. Your seed gets off to the best possible start and on track for both short- and long-term success.

Fall seeding complements the natural growth cycles of cool-season grasses.

Cool-season grass seed germinates best when soil temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This roughly corresponds to daytime air temperatures in the 60 F to 75 F range. An inexpensive soil thermometer, available at most garden stores, can help eliminate the guesswork.

The farther north you live, the earlier cool fall temperatures and ideal planting time come. For example, Minnesotans in the Upper Midwest seed cool-season lawns from mid-August to mid-September.1 For transition-zone lawn owners in central and northern Arkansas, September and October are the best time for seeding cool-season lawns.2

As a general rule, plant cool-season grass seed at least 45 days before the estimated date of your first fall frost, before soil and air temperatures drop to less favorable levels. Your grasses will enjoy a full fall season, plus a second cool, growing season come spring.Your local county extension agentcan help with advice on average frost dates and optimal timing for seeding lawns in your area.

Newly planted seed needs consistent soil moisture, and fall planting offers benefits on that front, too. Fall typically brings more precipitation, which lessens the chance that cool-season seeds may dry out, and reduces the need for extra watering on your part. Using premium drought-tolerant, water-conserving grass seed products, such asPenningtonSmart SeedandPenningtonOne Step Complete, lowers the risk of problems even more.

The second best time to seed cool-season lawn grasses is in the spring, once soil and air temperatures warm back up to their optimal range. However, late-melting snows and early spring rains can keep soil cold and overly wet, giving early weeds an advantage. Grasses also have less time to settle in before higher temperatures inhibit germination and cool-season grass growth begins to slow.

Moderate spring weather helps spring-planted grass seed flourish.

As with cool-season grasses, best warm-season planting times vary by location. In California, mid-April to mid-May is prime time for seeding warm-season lawns.3 In central and southern Arkansas, lawn owners plan their warm-season grass seeding for late May through June.2 It's tempting to get out and seed at the first hint of spring, but patience pays off. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and soil warms. Cold, wet soil is a recipe for poor germination, rotting seed and disease. Your county extension agent can help with expected frost dates and timely advice when unexpected weather conditions factor in.

As a general rule, warm-season grasses planted at least 90 days before the first fall frost have time to establish well before winter. These summer-loving grasses go dormant once temperatures drop near 55 degrees, so late-planted seedlings can't prepare for what's ahead. With proper timing, warm-season grass seed gets a natural boost from summer's warmth and a full season of active growth and development before cooling temperatures bring on winter dormancy.

One exception to the spring seeding rule for warm-season lawns is when overseeding with a cool-season grass, such as perennial ryegrass, for temporary winter color. Do this in fall, once temperatures drop and warm-season lawns begin to go dormant and lose color.

Grass types and varieties vary in their natural germination speeds. For example, cool-season Kentucky bluegrass germination can take two to three times as long as tall fescue varieties. Similarly, warm-season Zoysia grass may take two to three times longer than Bermudagrass. In addition, many seed products include a mix of seed types that germinate at different speeds.

Whether you're repairing bare spots, overseedingan existing lawn or starting from scratch, you can generally expect grass seedlings to emerge within seven to 21 days when grown under proper conditions. It may take another three to four weeks of growth before grass is long enough to mow. For fall-planted seed, this can mean waiting until spring for your first mowing. Some grasses, such as Zoysia grass, may need several months of growth to fully establish.

Much of the initial growth of new grass seedlings happens underground, where you can't see it. New roots get grass firmly established, prepared for the seasons ahead, and positioned for strong, rapid growth when their peak season arrives. With proper timing, new grass seedlings compete well for light, water and nutrients and fight off lawn diseases and pests, including lawn weeds.

Time your planting so that new seedlings become established before stressful seasons.

Do your research to understand what's in a bag of grass seed and the company behind the seed. Pennington is committed to producing the finest grass seed products possibleand providing you witheducational resourcesto help your seed project succeed. By timing your lawn tasks properly, you can maximize your advantage and seed your way to the lawn of your dreams.Pennington, Smart Seed and One Step Complete are trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.

Sources:

1. Mugaas, R. and Pedersen, B., Seeding and Sodding Home Lawns," University of Minnesota Extension.

2. Patton, A. and Boyd, J., Seeding a Lawn in Arkansas," University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

3. UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, Planting Times and Rates for Grasses That Can Be Established From Seed," University of California.

See original here:
The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed - Pennington.com

Im sure we can all agree that if you are looking for the best grass seed for your lawn, the most important things to compare would be growth rate, average days to germinate, and coverage area.

These were also our top criteria for selecting the best grass seed.

If you are ready to get planting, Top Choices 3-way Perennial Ryegrass seed mix scored high marks in all categories and is our top pick.

A nice, lush, green lawn is desired by most home owners but sometimes it can be quite difficult to achieve. Deciding on the right type of grass seed involves knowing what type of grass grows best in your specific region. Its also important to choose the best grass variety for the sun and shade conditions of your yard. Here weve highlighted the top-rated grass seed so you can eliminate any product that doesnt meed your needs and choose the one that will.

Choosing the right grass seed is just the first step to having a lush, green lawn, but it is an important step. Choose a low quality grass seed and you could end up expending a lot of time, energy and money for nothing. By choosing a good-quality, well-liked, and well-known grass seed, you are giving your lawn the best possible chance to be full, green and healthy.

You also need to ensure that you buy enough grass seed to cover the area you want to seed or thicken. If your grass is just thin, that will involve a lot less work and seed than if you are trying to completely seed a new lawn from scratch. Our information will be a big help for either of these scenarios.

This grass seed from Top Choice is 99.9% weed free. Your results will be a lush lawn and not a mixture of grass and weeds that youll have to contend with.

The easy-to-follow instructions means that you can easily make this a DIY project and the results will be an attractive lawn that is ready to stand up to the demands of you and your family. Top Choice lawns are easy to maintain and durable.

The company offers a satisfaction guarantee so if you are not satisfied for any reason, they will refund your money. The mixture of seed that is used for this 3 way perennial ryegrass seed mix is made up of 34% Stellar GL Perennial Ryegrass, 33% Homerun Perennial Ryegrass and 33% Apple GL Perennial Ryegrass.

If you are looking for a good, high-quality, durable grass seed you dont have to look any further than this seed product by Top Choice. It is perfect for those who want an easy-to-use, easy-to-maintain, good-looking lawn.

Sarah Lytle

This coated seed is able to feed and jumpstart the seedlings and protects the seeds against disease, keeping the lawn lush and green.

One of the popular features of this Scotts grass seed is the fact that it requires very little sun to grow well. In fact, as little as 3 hours of sunlight is still plenty to see good results.

It resists drought conditions, bugs as well as disease. This makes it a great grass seed for underneath trees where there is little sun.

Grass seed can be very expensive, so purchasing a durable, high-quality grass seed such as Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed can make all the difference in the world when it comes to having the lawn of your dreams.

This grass seed will grow thicker, quicker and greener than other seed and it has the added benefit of being 99.9% weed free.

Sarah Lytle

Tifblair Centipede grass seed is best used for large landscapes like public parks, large home lawns, around highways, airports, and anywhere else large expanses of tough grass are desired.

It takes 1 pound of Tifblair Centipede grass seed to cover 4,000 square feet of space. It is the perfect turf grass for areas that receive full sun to partial shade and it is resistant to drought as well.

Perfect for regions from the southern coast to the upper transition zone, it is well suited to temperatures that range from extreme to extreme cold.

It is a slow growing grass so it does not require constant mowing to maintain. Another plus that customers like about this grass is that it stays green longer in the fall and gets green earlier in the spring than other types of centipede turf grass.

Of all the lawn grass seed, this centipede grass requires the lowest maintenance and the lowest fertilizers and it even grows well on poor soil. If you are looking for the kind of grass that grows on anything, in many different temperatures and regions, this is the grass seed for you.

Sarah Lytle

These particular brands and choices are great for the majority of people looking to grow a beautiful lawn but if they are not what youre looking for, be sure to continue reading our buyers guide below. It will help you understand a lot more about grass seed and how to choose the right one based on your region, time of year and even the layout of your yard. Following the information in the buyers guide is sure to result in you finding the perfect grass seed for your lawn.

4. Pennington

5. Smart Seed

6. Jonathan Green

7. One Step

8. Chia

9. Fast Grow

10. TriPro

Turf Builder

to Germinate

(sq ft)

Analysis

Well maintained, attractive lawns do a lot to improve the look of your entire home. In addition to the cosmetic factor, a good, lush lawn also provides filtration for ground water, improves your air quality by attracting and absorbing dust and other types of particles, it produces oxygen and reduces soil erosion as well. It doesnt matter whether youre starting from bare ground or working with an existing yard to make it better, choosing the right grass seed is the very first step.

Before starting your search, ask yourself the following questions so you know what types of grass seed to begin looking at.

Knowing the answer to these questions will help you narrow down the many different choices a consumer has when it comes to grass seed. With all of the different varieties of grass seed offered, it helps consumers choose the one that will work for them if they know a little bit about the different varieties and what their characteristics are.

These different characteristics help the grasses perform better depending on the extenuating circumstances such as shade tolerance, cold or heat tolerance, drought resistance, bug resistance, mowing height tolerance and more. Choosing the right grass seed for your location and circumstances is crucial to the success of your lawn.

There are two basic types of grasses that have many difference varieties within the two types. These two types are cool season grasses and warm season grasses.

Cool Season Grasses These varieties of grasses perform the best in temperatures that range between 60 and 75 degrees. These are easily stressed and affected during the high temperatures and humidity of summertime.

Warm Season Grasses As their name states, warm season grasses perform the best during the summer months and become dormant and brown during the winter months where they do not grow either. Warm season grasses tend to be used most often for home lawns, golf courses and athletic fields.

Always look at the label to learn about the different types of grass seed that are in your particular choice. There are straight seed grass seed that is just one type of grass. This is a good choice to make when you are looking for a uniform look. Overall blended grass seed tends to be better at fighting off disease. Follow these helpful tips when you are choosing a grass seed.

There are several different types of characteristics of grass seed that you can expect to see when you start shopping. We have outlined them below.

Knowing how to choose the right grass seed for your lawn makes the whole process of reseeding or starting a lawn much easier. Getting a beautiful lawn takes dedication and work and knowledge too in the aspect of knowing which type of seed is the best for your location and yard type.

With perseverance and patience you can choose the perfect grass seed for your project and then step by step you can follow the instructions and get started on that lawn of your dreams. Once youre ready to get started on your lawn, it is good to read reviews online so you can see what brands and types of grass seed are working the best for customers. Take into consideration the area you live in and that different regions will have different results and different seed types that will work better than others, but you can still get a sense of the overall performance of the seed which will help you make an informed choice.

Continued here:
Grass Seed Reviews and Ratings - ThoroughlyReviewed

If you live in certain parts of the country--southern California for example--a green lawn year-round is no big deal. For other parts of the country, it's a little more challenging. Year-round green in Minnesota?

If you live far enough south that you have a warm-season grass, say Bermuda grass, but far enough north that your Bermuda grass goes dormant and turns brown when the winter temperatures dip just a little too low, I've got your answer: over-seeding.

Come fall, spread some grass seed for a cool season over your warm-season grass and see what happens. As the warm season grass checks out for winter, the cool season grass will check in. The result will be year-round green. But over-seeding takes more than just sprinkling grass seed. Here are a few over-seeding pointers.

If you're tired of looking out over your brown Bermuda grass all winter long, a little over-seeding can turn things green again.

Dawn West B.A. holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and teaches writing at Oregon State University.

View original post here:
Green Grass, Year Round - All About Lawns

When starting a new lawn, many people wonder which is better: laying sod or sowing seeds. While laying sod is fast and produces high-quality new turf, seeding lawns are much cheaper and offer a wider variety of grass types. To learn which grass types are best for your area, contact a nearby extension service (many counties and universities have extensions), or ask an expert at a local garden center. Much of the labor of starting a lawn from seed is in the all-important prep work, but just as important is watering the seed and sprouts regularly until the new grass is well established.

Remove any old grass plants and weeds from the area. You can dig out unwanted plants with a flat-bladed shovel, making sure you get the roots. Another method is to apply a non-selective herbicide (such as Roundup), then use a rented sod cutter to remove the dead grass and roots. Take a sample of the soil and have it tested for soil pH. Most lawn grasses prefer a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. If the test reveals that your soil is overly acidic, you can "sweeten" it by applying garden lime.

Break up the compacted soil with a rented tiller, or rototiller. Spread a starter fertilizer over the loosened soil. Thistype of fertilizer is high in phosphorus, the middle number in the NPK sequence on a fertilizer bag. Also, spread a soil amendment over the soil. "Soil conditioner" is often what it is called at the store, but if you have a good supply of compost at home, it will serve just as well as a soil amendment.

Use the tiller to mix the starter fertilizer and soil conditioner (or equivalent) into the soil. Rake the soil to begin to level it out, removing any rocks and debris. To ensure proper drainage of surface water, make sure that any site grading you do allows water to flow away from your house. Finally, use a rented lawn roller (with a water-filled drum) to finish leveling the soil. Water the soil lightly.

Follow the recommended seeding rate (as listed on the bag of grass seed) to apply the seed with a seed spreader. Spread 1/4 of the seed over the entire lawn area. Then, repeat three more times, each time using 1/4 of the seed. However, each of the four times you distribute a load of seed, push the spreader in a different direction, to ensure even coverage. Rake the soil lightly to cover the seed with a thin layer of soil (if recommended by the seed manufacturer). Empty the water from the roller drum, and roll the lawn surface.

Moisten the soil carefully, using a fine spray from a hose sprayer. Be careful not to over-water and create a flood. Repeat watering several times per day (depending on the weather) to keep the soil evenly moist. Do not let the soil dry out. The seeds will germinate and begin to sprout in about 7 to 14 days. Do not walk on or allow pets on any seeded area during this initial phase of growth. The soil is very unstable and any disturbance will lead to bare areas.

Continue watering up to three times per day to keep the soil moist (it does not need to be wet) until the new grass is ready to mow: about 4 inches tall, or as recommended on the seed packaging. Mow the grass to no less than 3 inches in height (cut off no more than 1/3 of the total grass blade length). Make sure the grass gets plenty of water until it has grown enough to need three mowings. From that point on, water the grass with the normal schedule for the area, the current weather, and the type of grass. It's also a good idea to pull new weeds as they emerge to prevent them from spreading.

Read the original here:
How to Start a Lawn From Seed - The Spruce

We work with you throughout to develop and implement strategies,allowing you to select the best solution for your Project.

Our dedicated Customer Service Department includes Natural Resource Scientists and horticulturalists,whose vast experience in establishing turf, native grass and native bushlandgives you a distinct advantage.

Aquaseeding deploys our people and equipmentacross three States, and our innovative approaches allow us to combine solutions,resources and smarts to solve any problem we encounter onsite.

We will work with you to understand the outcome you want to achieve,the soil and climatic conditions of your site and your project timelines.

By understanding this we can tailor a solution that meets your requirements and has the best chance of success. An important part of developing the solution is visiting your site to better understand conditions, such as site access and taking soil samples.

Our proposal to you will include a full description of the works to be conductedincluding seed mixes, treatments and techniques. Before we start on siteyou will know what you are going to get and what you can expect to be charged,so there are no surprises down the track.

See the article here:
Aquaseeding | Aquaseeding

Planting (or seeding) a lawn is not difficult and can be done successfully by anyone. If you are planting grass seed, follow these five simple steps for best results.

A great lawn can only be grown from great grass seeds. To find a top quality grass seed, look for an NTEP rated variety, which means it has been independently evaluated and rated by the National Turf Evaluation Program, (NTEP). The NTEP rating on grass seeds means you are purchasing grass seeds that have been specifically bred for superior green grass color, disease and insect resistance and drought tolerance.

The price of grass seed is small compared to the time that will be invested in building a great lawn. To get the best lawn results you need the best grass seed.

Get GreenView Fairway Formula top rated NTEP grass seed today

For planting new lawns:

For overseeding an existing lawn:

Grass seed can be planted in the spring and fall with good results. If you are planning a spring planting of grass seed, do not apply weed control products to the grass. Delay the weed control application until the grass seed has germinated and you have mowed the grass at least 3 times.

For a fall planting of grass seed, follow the same weed control precautions and time the seed planting to allow the grass seed to fully germinate before freezing temperatures arrive in your region.

Learn more about:NTEP and grass seed ratings Selecting a cool season grass Selecting a warm season grass How to read a grass seed label

Continued here:
How to Plant Grass Seed GreenView Fertilizer

As with most landscaping projects, preparation is the most critical part of seeding a lawn. The condition of the soil has to be ideal to coax the tiny grass seeds into germinating. That means using well-turned earth with proper drainage and the right chemistry.

To get these conditions, you first need to remove any vestiges of the old lawn. Renting a sod cutter for about $75 to $100 a day allows you to slice off old grass and weeds at the roots. Then it's time to turn the soil with a rotary tiller, adding sand and compost in successive layers to achieve an ideal mix.

But even with these additions, no soil is ready for seeds if it doesn't have the right pH. The pH scale measures acidity and alkalinity, denoted by numbers from 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral. Grass grows best in soil that has a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. If your soil is too acidic (below 6.0)a common problem in cooler wet climates like the Northwest and Northeastyou can add lime to bring it up. If it's mildly alkaline (7.5 to 8.0), a little peat moss, which is naturally acidic, should correct it. Soil that is very alkaline (more than 8.0), which is more likely to exist in dry, hot climates, needs sulfur.

All soil could use a little fertilizer boost to nourish the seeds. Then once the soil is ready, the actual planting is cake. Just throw out the right amount of seeds, gently rake them into the turned earth, and make sure they get enough water to keep on growing.

Continue reading here:
How to Seed a Lawn | This Old House