How to Prepare Soil for Lawn Seed
Jonathan Green offers the best annual lawn care programs on the market for seeding new lawns or overseeding existing ones. Learn how to balance the lawn’s pH and loosen hard compacted soil, all while spurring soil microbes into action to achieve the best results.
Jonathan Green supplies genetically superior cool season grass seed, soil enhancers, fertilizer, and organic lawn products to sod growers, homeowners, and independent retailers, including garden centers and hardware stores, across the United States. Our grass seed and soil food products will transform your lawn and help it to thrive.
We have developed an environmentally sound and organic approach to lawn care called the New American Lawn Plan. By following this revolutionary plan, you will discover how to address the root of any lawn problems you have, instead of just battling the symptoms, such as insects and weeds.
Preparing to Plant Your New Lawn
Clear the area. Remove all dead grass, weeds, and debris (sticks, stones, etc.) from the area. Level any areas where excess water could collect.
Test the soil pH. Use our Soil pH Test Kit for Lawns to determine the pH of your soil in minutes and ensure that it measures between 6.2 and 7.0. If not, use Jonathan Green Mag-I-Cal® Plus to rapidly balance the pH and help the lawn grow greener and healthier. Mag-I-Cal® Plus is available for both acidic and alkaline soils. Apply it when seeding, and adjust the application rate as the pH of the soil improves.
Loosen the soil. Loosen the top half-inch of soil. Mag-I-Cal® Plus will help you accomplish this. If the soil is very compacted, however, choose Jonathan Green Love Your Soil® to loosen and aerate it, feed the soil microbes, make the soil more alive and porous, and enhance root and root mass development. Love Your Soil® can be applied on the same day as the grass seed.
Plant the highest quality seed. Apply your preferred Black Beauty® grass seed mixture with a Jonathan Green Deluxe Broadcast Spreader. Distribute the seed as evenly as possible, and lightly rake to incorporate it in the top ¼ inch of soil. Seed-to-soil contact is the key to achieving maximum germination.
Fertilize. Use Jonathan Green Veri-Green Starter Fertilizer for Seeding & Sodding to fertilize before seeding. This high phosphorus formula will help build a vigorous root system and get new grass off to a fast start, resulting in a thicker, greener lawn. Do not use crabgrass or weed killers before or after planting grass seed.
Water. Keep the seedbed moist for several weeks while the grass seed germinates and the new turfgrass gets established. Plan to water daily and possibly twice daily if the weather is really hot and the water evaporates quickly, until new grass is 2.5 to 3 inches high and then mow.
Mentioned Products
For more information about how to prepare your soil for lawn food, visit us online at JonathanGreen.com or visit your nearest independent hardware or garden center for expert lawn care advice.