How do I grow Grass?

Question

Last November, my Boyfriend and I moved into a Townhouse in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. The previous owner had laid grass seed and straw in the small backyard, but nothing has grown. Over the fall and winter about a 6 inch blanket of leaves covered the entire yard, and when I raked them up this week, I also raked up the straw and surely some of the seed. Now with no leaves, my backyard will be a mud pit if Idon't get something growing back there. What is the best way to get grass to grow fast?

Answer 1

first thing you need to do is a soil test. You can get test kits for a few $ at garden stores. you may need to add lime. You need to pick a good grass seed for your area with germination close to 99.99% and noxious weed as close to 0 as possible. look at the soil in the yard and make sure it isnt compacted. if it is you may need to aerate (poke holes in ground), this helps with the root growth of the grass. Now your ready to seed. you want to get a spreader, and the instructions on the grass seed will tell you how much to use. After laying down the seed, lay a layer of peat moss, straw, or light soil. The purpose of this is to keep it moist. Then lay down a starter fertilizer and lightly rake. Keep it moist, not wet for a couple of weeks.

Answer 2

What you have to do is have what they call a YARD OF TOPSOIL to be delivered to your home. You need that to start seeding, otherwise the seed you put down will wash away. The problem is that you do not have enough earth to get the seed started so you need to replenish. Now wait till spring in Virginia, say in April or May, and when the top soil is delivered, spread it, rake it, grade it, and when it is smooth, start sowing the seed. My suggestion is to speak to a garden center in your area, and ask them what seed is good for your area, whether you have alot shade or sun makes a difference in what kind of seed you purchase. Then no one should walk on that lawn for at least two weeks, so I would put up signs. It must be watered daily with a light sprinkling action unless you have some rain. Soon you will see little seedlings start growing..that is your grass. If grading the topsoil is too much for both of you, then you should have a professional landscaper do the job for you.

Answer 3

If it's as small a lot as I think, probably you can just dump a TON of seed as is, say 25 or 50 pounds of a quality seed run you like 50 -75 bucks and spread it out HEAVY don't be afraid to really throw some down just be sure you have enough to cover all of it and I mean put it down heavy (like use a 100 pounds per 1/4 acre concentration but factored out to your size lot, it would be 400 pounds per acre or 50 pounds per 1/8 acre, anyway you'll have to find out the sq.footage of your area and 1 acre = 43,560 square feet so 11k sq.ft. = 1/4 acre and 5.4k = 1/8th etc).