How To Prepare Soil for Grass Seed
Are you hoping to grow a lawn that’s the envy of your neighborhood? Explore the best grass seed mixtures and get information on how to prepare the soil from the knowledgeable team at Jonathan Green.
We are a leading supplier of top-quality cool-season grass seed, soil enhancers, fertilizer, and organic lawn and garden products to consumers, sod growers, and independent retailers, including garden centers and hardware stores across the United States. Our genetically superior grass seed and soil food products will transform your lawn and help it to thrive.
Prepare the Soil for Seeding
Grass seed germinates and grows best in soil that is loose and not compacted. Prepare the area by clearing out dead grass and breaking up any hardened soil. Jonathan Green Love Your Soil® will loosen and aerate hard or compacted soil.
Once you have prepared the soil, you should test it to determine the pH level. The soil pH should fall between 6.2 and 7.0. Soil with pH that falls outside this range should be treated with MAG-I-CAL® Plus. Our innovative formula will quickly correct the pH and help the lawn grow greener and healthier. It can be applied the same day as the grass seed is spread.
After regulating the pH, the seed can be planted. Choose a high-quality grass seed with a good mix of varietals, such as the Jonathan Green Black Beauty® grass seed mixtures. For small lawns, the seed can be spread by hand, but more extensive lawns would benefit from using a lawn spreader to ensure an even spread of seed across the entire lawn.
To get new grass plantings off to a fast start, rake or roll the seed into the soil; it needs to have contact with the soil to germinate properly. Then, apply a high-quality fertilizer. Our Veri-Green Starter Fertilizer for Seeding & Sodding has been targeted to the germination of newly seeded grass. It works to build a stronger root system and a thicker, greener lawn.
Next, the seeded lawn should be watered thoroughly, and the soil should be kept moist until the seeds have germinated (10 to 14 days). If the weather happens to be particularly warm, you may need to water several times a day. After the grass becomes established, mow the new lawn when the grass is about three inches tall.
Select the Best Seed
Two of our most popular grass seed mixtures are:
- Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed is most similar to what is found on sod farms. The mixture possesses species diversity and contains exclusive, elite varieties of tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. These grasses grow a naturally dark-green and beautiful lawn with excellent heat and drought tolerance. Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed germinates in about 14 days.
- Black Beauty® Fall Magic Grass Seed is formulated for successful fall seeding and contains several grass types, including Black Beauty® tall fescues. It is ideal for planting a brand new lawn or repairing a sparse, damaged lawn. Black Beauty® Fall Magic Grass Seed can be used in sunny and shady lawn areas and germinates in 10 to 14 days.
Mentioned Products
Your lawn will never be better than the grass seed you plant. Find out how to prepare the soil from the experts at Jonathan Green to help you achieve the best lawn in town! Visit us online to explore our lawn care products.