Hi all! So I bought this house with plans to grow grass in this back part of the yard. The previous owners never picked up leaves so it took a lot of work but I was able to get rid of all of it. The yard now looks like this but it is now just dirt. (Last two pictures still has leaves in it but just posting for reference)
What's the best way to plant grass seed? I don't have a vehicle that allows me to haul a rented tiller or anything so this would be by hand. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!
by Redditadvisor
17 Comments
Hydro seeding
You bought the property with the intention to grow grass. Did I read that correct?
Let that sink in, folks.
You might get clover to grow..
Clover grows well in my yard like this
The leaves were doing a lot of work here. You probably should have just left them.
Clover
Grass lawns are becoming a thing of the past. Plant something native that doesn’t require you keep it on life support year round
By growing grass
Well your asking how to grow grass. You have 3 options. New sod, topsoil and seed or hydro see. It also needs water.
I moved in to a wooded lot, much shadier and more trees than this. The backyard was completely leaf litter.
One year I raked up all the leaf litter, all the way down to soil. I did it in March or so which was right around this time of year, when the plants were budding out. And grass just sprung up on its own. But, it was crazy grass, all kinds of wild weeds and clover and fescue and crab grass and rye grass and monkey grass. It was fun though.
I’d do a soil test with your local extension office. The report will tell you how much lime and fertilizer you need to amend the soil to prepare for grass. Aerate the ground—rent an aerator or hire a landscaper to do it. Then spread the lime and fertilizer with a spreader. Then spread your seed of choice. Water twice a day for a week or two so the seeds can get going.
Decide to take the time and read the sub or r/lawncare OR hire it out
You have so much space. Have you considered creating a paradise of native ground covers and plants that will likely require significantly less time, resources, and money to keep alive, while benefiting your local environment/wildlife?
Grass seed, straw, and patience. If you have shady spots then you are fucked sir. You could also spend a lot of money on top soil, sod, labor and slowly watch it die. Personally, I would just gravel the entire place. grass and weeds will grow for free and somehow take over the entire back yard. That shit will be green though. Good luck with this drunk advice.
To actually answer your question: pick up all the debris. Get your yard aerated and fertilized. Water, if you need to in your area. Seed with native grass seed in the fall. You can also lay sod but it can get pricey to cover large areas. Like others have mentioned, there are other more eco friendly solutions you can look into like clover and native wild grasses.
Spread some lime first
Ring in better dirt. Grade so water doesn’t sit. And seed. Will be fine