Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001559
11/12/99

Starting a Lawn From Seed


The best time plant grass seed is from late August to
early September. Spring and fall provide favorable
growing conditions for cool season lawn grasses. Seeding
in late summer provides two peak growth seasons before the
new lawn must experience a period of hot, dry summer
weather.

Dormant seeding may be done in November. Low temperatures
keep the grass seed from germinating.

Early spring seedings are not as successful as the
previous two times. The grass plants do not have enough
time to get well established before hot summer weather.

Grass seed can be spread over the ground with a fertilizer
spreader. Use about 4 pounds of seed per 1000
square feet of area. Drag a broom rake over the seeded
area to mix the seed into the soil surface. Next, cover
the new seeding with straw, using 1 bale for each 500
square feet of area.

Watering is critical for new seedings. Sprinkle lightly
several times a day to keep the soil surface cool
and moist.

When the grass is about 2 inches tall remove half the
straw. The rest can be allowed to decompose naturally.

Mowing can begin when the grass is 2 1/2 to 3 inches
tall. The mower blade must be sharp. Dull blades will
pull the young plants out of the ground rather than cut
the leaves.

Fertilize with a lawn fertilizer when the plants are 2
inches tall. Be sure to water in the fertilizer if the
instructions on the bag say to do so.

Water so that an inch of water per week is applied to
the new seeding.


Go To Top of File        Michigan State University Extension Home Page        Main Page for this Data Base        MNLA Web Site
This information is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This information becomes public property upon publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise a commercial product or company. This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00. Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99. For more information about this data base or its contents please contact heatley@msue.msu.edu . Please read our disclaimer for important information about using our site.