How to Plant Grass Seeds in the Spring in Central Indiana
- 1). Remove debris and rocks from the planting area in autumn before planting the grass seed. Till the soil and level it with a rake as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, typically late March or April.
- 2). Spread 4 to 6 inches of topsoil over the prepared ground. Level the top soil with a garden rake, breaking up or removing large clumps.
- 3). Spread starter fertilizer with a high level of phosphorous over the top soil to encourage rapid root growth. Broadcast the fertilizer across the soil with a drop spreader or rotary spreader, working on a day when there is no wind or rain to ensure even distribution.
- 4). Plant on a sunny spring day to visually ensure the seed is spread evenly. Consult the seed bag for the correct volume of grass seed to apply over the yard's square footage.
- 5). Broadcast the seed over the new lawn area in segments using a drop spreader or rotary spreader. Divide smaller areas in half, using half the seed to cover the soil before moving on to the second segment. Divide larger areas into multiple segments and portion out the measured seed for each section.
- 6). Rake the seed into the soil very lightly so that it remains exposed to the sun to encourage germination. Spread a layer of straw over areas on an incline to keep the seed in place during watering, leaving at least half the seeds exposed to sunlight for proper germination.
- 7). Water the grass seed immediately with a light spray from a sprinkler. Supplement the central Indiana springtime rain by watering the seed with a sprinkler twice a day during dry spells. Measure the water volume of each session by setting a mayonnaise jar lid on the soil. Run the water until the lid is full.
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