How to Seed a Lawn. Seeding, Reseeding and Sod

Chances are after a long winter season that your lawn has been damaged. Maybe a snowbank lingered a little too long, killing a patch of grass. Or the spot where the kids made that snow fort is a little thin from all the foot traffic. Here’s a few strategies to bring your lawn back to last year’s summertime glory.

Seeding a Lawn

The first method we will cover is seeding. This is the least expensive way to produce grass over a large area. While sodding and patching will give a more complete look sooner, putting down seed allows for a lot more choice when it comes to grass varieties.

Seeding is most commonly used when converting a large dirt area or an entire yard to grass surfaces but seeding is also popular for patching holes, repairing edges and filling in pockets from a moved shed or stationary object like a jungle gym.

Use these easy to follow steps and get great results taking season and weather into consideration:

1.) Spread the seed over the required surface area by hand or with a topdresser.
2.) Spread top soil or mulch. This creates a bed for growth and keeps the seed stationary.
3.) Roll out or compact the surface. Using your feet works but a roller is more effective.
4.) Water the entire seeded area. This binds the layers and provides growth elements.
5.) Protect your seeds. String up borders to protect from foot traffic and pets.

ReSeeding Grass

Reseeding is very similar to seeding but with a slightly different focus. Often, once the snow is gone and the raking, mulching and composting is done, we see our lawn in spring is largely intact but has become a little sparse throughout. The best solution is reseeding.

Sometimes lawn care specialists opt to cut a section of thinning grass out of the ground and replace it with a piece of sod. This solves the problem quickly but may not look the best in the long term. If you have the patience for it reseeding will grow into a more uniform look than a chunk of sod.

Follow these simple steps and fill out those weak spots on your green:

1.) Rake all the spots being reseeded vigorously, ensuring all dead plant material and waste is removed from the surface. This allows the seed and soil to receive direct sunlight .
2.) Loosen the soil in the affected areas creating space for the seed to slip in and take hold. Using the sharp teeth on a rake is often enough to loosen the soil.
3.) Once the area is cleaned and prepared for grass seed sprinkle the required amount of fertilizer and soil in the area.
4.) Spread grass seed over the thinned and prepared areas. Do this by hand as using a spreader over this area can cause damage. Don’t over seed.
5.) Water accordingly.

Sometimes automation is the key. Take a look at the video below and see Billygoat’s Overseeder in action.

Take a look at our Overseeder product page and get more details for this yard unit.

Sodding and Patching

Sodding is certainly the fastest way to lay down grass over a larger area. Though more expensive, sometimes sodding and patching using sod is the only solution for big properties. Small areas with severe damage are often best served by a fresh cut piece of sod placed into the affected area.

Sodding is pretty straight forward and following these simple steps will help keep you on track:

1.) Determine the surface area and purchase or prepare the appropriate amount of sod. It’s best to have a little too much rather than too little. Extra pieces can be cut to fit awkward spaces.
2.) Till your lawn. The layer of topsoil on your lawn should be slightly broken and leveled allowing for the sod to be laid evenly. Also water moderately binding the sod to the ground.
3.) Start laying the sod. Start by doing a lines or rows along an edge or sidewalk working row by row towards to opposite side of the lawn.
4.) Once the sod pieces are laid they need to be rolled or pressed in order to create a solid surface.
5.) Water the entire sodded lawn liberally. Don’t over water and kill the freshly laid sod. The grass may have gone through minor shock. Don’t give them more stress than they need.

Regardless of the option you go for, if you follow these tips you should end up with a great lawn or yard by the end of the season which can be enjoyed for years to come. Take a look at the video below to see a sod cutting unit in action.

Take a look at BillyGoat’s Sod Cutter up close to see if it’s the right unit for you.

Check back soon to see the next story in our spring clean up series concerning weeding, weed prevention and general weed care. Or start at the beginning with raking, mulching and compost and let us help you from square one. or jump ahead to our next post on weeding and weed prevention to keep that lawn looking great!

Or take a look at these blog posts with additional info on keeping your lawn in excellent shape:

Landscapers Advice: Spring Clean Up
Adjust Your Grass Cutting Height
Watering the Lawn Properly
Edging, Trimming and Garden Shaping