How to install new lawn in your garden

NEW LAWN INSTALLATION
By 5 easily steps

1

Prepare the area for planting

• Remove old grass and weeds using a grape hoe or sod cutter. If necessary, apply glyphosate or another broadleaf herbicide to remove these weeds. Follow label instructions and wait the required time after applying before breaking and prepping the soil.
• Grade your soil to a 1 or 2% slope running away from buildings.
• Perform a soil test or send soil samples to a local university extension or a garden center that offers soil testing services.
• Improve soil if necessary based on soil test results, then gently rake in starter fertilizer.
• Water the soil and let settle for one week.
• Fill a garden roller ⅓ full of water and roll lightly over the soil.

2

Choose your grass. 

Take your time selecting a grass species. Lawn care will be much easier if the grass is suited to your climate, soil type, and use patterns. Research the specific species, not just "cool season" or "warm season" grass.

• You'll also choose between seed and sod (turf). Seed is cheaper and easier to install, but can take months to become usable. Pick sod if you want a lawn sooner, and are willing to spend the time and effort.
• Sod should be moist, with no dry or cracked areas.

3

Install the new lawn

Break up the lawn into sections to make this task more manageable. Follow these instructions:

• To plant seeds: Using a lawn spreader, sow half the seeds walking in parallel rows. Sow the other half in rows at right angles to the first rows. Lightly rake ⅛ inch (3 mm) of soil over the seeds.^[3]
• To install sod: Remove a few inches of soil, so the new sod will end up level with the surrounding area. Lay the sod end to end in staggered rows, as though laying bricks. Trim edges to fit with a utility knife.

4

Water the new lawn

• Seeds: Water right after sowing, lightly to avoid washing away the seeds. Repeat every other day or as often as needed to keep the soil moist, as seeds may die when dried out. This danger has passed once the seed has germinated and grass blades appear, usually about 10–14 days after planting.
• Sod: Water well after installing, then use a full lawn roller to compact the sod against the soil base. From then on, water in the early morning 10 days. Water heavily enough to wet the soil underneath the sod, but avoid overwatering that can lift the sod rolls up from the soil.

5

Stay off the new lawn.

Avoid walking on new sod for the first week after installation, and go easy on it for the first month. Seed takes longer to become established. Stay off it until blades appear, then use as lightly as possible for six months.

• Once a seed-grown lawn reaches a height of 2–3 inch (5–7.5cm), roll it with an empty garden roller.
• Do not mow a seed-grown lawn until it is 3 or 4 inches (7.5–10cm) tall, then mow no more than ½ inch (1.25 cm) every few days until the lawn is healthy and well-established.