What is the fastest way to get grass to grow without buying sod?

Answer 1

Although sod is expensive as you can tell by the answers without it you are looking at a lot of work. Please reconsider sod.

Answer 2

Ensure there is a layer of topsoil over the area where you want the grass to grow. 3" is enough, but 5" is better.

You can buy topsoil in bags from Walmart etc for less than $2.00 / bag if you're doing a small area, for larger areas, you can order it by the cubic yard and have it delivered to your home. Look in the yellow pages under "topsoil." Just tell them the size of the area and thickness you want and they'll calculate how much you need.

The soil must be compacted, (you can rent a push-type roller that fills with water to give it weight) then lightly raked afterwards.

Depending on where you're located, you can buy grass seed to suit your specific climate. (high sun expose etc.)
You can seed small areas by hand, tossing small even handfuls over the topsoil. Be sure to measure your aproximate lot size to get an adequate amount of grass seed.

For larger area's you can rent a push spreader, but its not necessary for average size lots.
Lightly water the lawn each night, making sure not to water too heavy, or the seeds will pool to low areas in the lawn.

Within 2-3 weeks you'll have something that's starting to resemble a lawn. The advantages of seeding vs sod, is topsoil is required in both cases, but sod is 10 times more money per square foot than seed. Doing an average lawn can cost in excess of $1000.00, whereas less than $80.00 in seed will do the same thing.

Answer 3

One way to make it sprout faster is to plant it on the surface instead of under the dirt. In other words, just spread the seeds, make sure they're touching dirt, and water them. Water them enough to turn the dirt into mud. Kentucky Bluegrass seeds normally sprout in three weeks, but if you plant them on the surface and water them frequently, you can make them sprout in one week. But you have to be careful with the sprouts, because it takes time for them to develop strong roots.

Another thing to take into account is the summer heat. Most grass seeds won't sprout at all when it's hot. Especially northern grassses such as Kentucky Bluegrass.

By far the best time to plant northern grasses is mid September.

One problem with seed on the surface of the ground is that it's likely to dry out and die. That's why you have to water very frequently if you do it that way. If you cover it with straw or peat moss, you don't have to water as frequently, because the straw or peat moss will help keep it damp.

Answer 4

My neighbors have a beautiful lawn it's always very full and green... All they do is in the early spring they buy cheap grass seed from Walmart and lay it down with a manual spreader.. They water it every few days and that's about all....

Answer 5

i agree- hydroseed is the best way - the second is alot of grass seed and ...straw, watered daily. The straw will break down, but hold the mositure in.

Answer 6

Hydroseeding

Answer 7

A good watering schedule, and fertilizer.