General Planting Guide For Lawns
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Guide to Successful Planting Of New Lawns

 Items Needed To Plant Your Lawn:

1. Quality grass seed
2. Seed/Fertilizer spreader
3. Sprinkler
4. Stiff Rake
5. Water Hose
6. Soil Test Kit
7. Mower
8. Lawn Starter Fertilizer

Points To Consider When Choosing Grass Seed

• Is the area sunny or shady?
• Is it a high traffic area?
• How much or often are you able to water?

Planting Instructions:

(see back of package for more detailed instructions)

1. Test soil and apply lime or nutrients as recommended
2. Rough up soil.
3. Use spreader to spread seed
4. Use back of rake to bury seed
5. Water

General Watering instructions:

• First planting - Water once a day for approximately 10 minutes. You are just trying to get the seed moist so it will germinate. Germination time varies according to seed type and weather conditions.
• Once the seed has germinated you will water less often but for a longer period of time. For example, every other day or every third day for 15-20 minutes and then every third or fourth day for 20-30 minutes until the seed has matured. What this does is train the roots to dig deep within the soil to access water and will help the plant to become more drought tolerant.
• Once the seed has germinated, maintain a consistent watering schedule depending on current weather conditions. Over-watering, or watering so often that the water does not have the time to soak into the soil and creates constant ?puddling? and can cause disease problems. Watering in the early morning hours is the best time to avoid possible disease and fungus.

Top Five Reasons Lawns Don't Succeed

1. Seed is buried too deep or not deep enough. Seed to soil contact is important but if you bury your seed too deep you can prevent it from receiving necessary sunlight to germinate.
2. No water. It is important for the seed to receive water during the first few weeks of its life. Tender young seedlings tend to dry out and die if they do not receive enough water.
3. Seeding too soon after applying a pre-emergent. DO NOT seed for at least 90 days after a pre-emergent has been applied to the area. Pre-emergent weed killers are designed to prevent seeds from germinating and can remain in the soil for up to 90 days. Check pre-emergent label for exact time period to wait before seeding.
4. Over-fertilization. Applying too much fertilizer to an area is just as bad, if not worse, than applying too little. Always water after applying fertilizer or you run the risk of burning your plant.
5. Lack of nutrients. It is important to test your soil before you plant and apply recommended nutrients or lime in order to provide a warm, happy environment for your plant.

Also visit our special links page for links to helpful planting, growing and lawn care information.

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*Guides and How to' s provided courtesy of Pennington Seed, Inc.