It sounds like it should be simple, but too often, it’s not: planting grass seed has been causing headaches for as long as lawns have existed. While planting seeds is cheaper than opting for sod, it requires a larger time investment and specific conditions in order to properly take root and flourish into the lawn of your dreams. While there’s a broad range of equipment on the market to help you spread and plant grass seed, there’s also one household cleaning tool that can work wonders in the process: a push broom.
Using a push broom benefits the grass seed planting process because it helps ensure that the seeds come into contact with the soil, which is crucial for germination and growth. Since most varieties of grass seed should only be planted half an inch deep, be careful to only apply light pressure on the push broom and just give the new seed a single pass. That way, you’ll be left with evenly-spread grass seed and a perfect light layer of soil on top.
How to plant grass seed
One of the most important factors in planting grass from seed is soil preparation. After you determine which area of your yard you wish to seed, clear the soil of all plant debris, weeds, and dirt chunks. You should be left with a smooth area, and your footsteps should make a ¼-inch deep mark in the soil. Use a rake to make the seedbed even and fill in any holes and dips.
Next, use a seed spreader to distribute seeds evenly across the space. The amount of seed needed will depend on the type of grass you are planting and the total area of your future lawn. For example, use 2 to 3 pounds of Kentucky Bluegrass seed for every 1,000 square feet of lawn. After spreading the seed, immediately drag a push broom over the entire area to mix it into the soil. Once you’ve gone over the area with the broom, you should still be able to see about 10% to 15% of the seed. Using the broom will also help keep birds from eating your grass seed, but for an extra layer of protection, you might also choose to add mulch or straw over top.
Alternative tools and next steps
Not every household owns a push broom, and it’s not necessary to go out and buy one for the task of mixing your grass seed with the soil. You can just as easily use a regular broom with stiff bristles, a rake or the back of a rake with very light pressure, a light seed roller, or even ATV tires for larger areas. Alternatively, you can use a grass drill in place of the spreader and finish the planting process by raking.
After you’ve spread and planted your grass seed and applied mulch if desired, take steps to minimize traffic on the new seed. Use temporary fences to keep pets and children off the seeded area as it fights to become established. Water the area lightly but frequently in order to keep the top inch of soil moist. Depending on your climate and the amount of wind and sun your yard receives, you’ll need to water anywhere between twice a day or up to four times a day. As soon as the grass has grown to more than 3 inches high, mow it with a freshly-sharpened blade.
