How to Sand Over Grass Seed
Laying grass seed is much less expensive than laying sod or sprigs, but also more difficult. Grass seed can be finicky, so it’s important to keep cultural conditions just right to maximize germination rates. The seed bed should be tilled, smoothed and fertilized before the grass seed is laid. Once grass seed is down, watering it will be your top priority. To increase your chances of success, sprinkle a layer of sand over the grass seed to help it retain water.
Broadcast a light covering (less than 1/4 inch) of sand over the grass seed. Sprinkle the sand over the ground by hand in small lawns or use a broadcast spreader with holes small enough to broadcast sand. Make two passes over the lawn, 90 degrees to each other, to ensure even coverage.
- Laying grass seed is much less expensive than laying sod or sprigs, but also more difficult.
- Grass seed can be finicky, so it’s important to keep cultural conditions just right to maximize germination rates.
Increase the grass seed's contact with the sand and soil by pressing it down with an empty lawn roller. Make two passes over the lawn, at 90-degree angles to each other. If you do not have a lawn roller, simply walking over the lawn will ensure good contact.
Water the soil with 1 to 2 inches of water (more for sandy soils) so the top few inches of soil are moist but not soaked.
Grass To Seed Out
Stop mowing the grass in the area that you want to let seed out. In dry conditions, water the grass as needed to ensure that it continues to grow and thrive. Wait for the seed heads to develop completely and begin drying out. Harvest the seeds by grasping the stalk with one hand and sliding the fingers of the other hand up the stalk and over the seed heads; provided that the heads are fully developed, the seeds will come loose between your fingers. Mow the lawn after harvesting the seeds, setting the blade high so that you remove no more than one-third of the grass height in the first cut. Store harvested grass seed in a cool, dry location.
- Increase the grass seed's contact with the sand and soil by pressing it down with an empty lawn roller.
- Mow the lawn after harvesting the seeds, setting the blade high so that you remove no more than one-third of the grass height in the first cut.
Grass To Seed Out
Stop mowing the grass in the area that you want to let seed out. In dry conditions, water the grass as needed to ensure that it continues to grow and thrive. Wait for the seed heads to develop completely and begin drying out. Harvest the seeds by grasping the stalk with one hand and sliding the fingers of the other hand up the stalk and over the seed heads; provided that the heads are fully developed, the seeds will come loose between your fingers. Mow the lawn after harvesting the seeds, setting the blade high so that you remove no more than one-third of the grass height in the first cut. Store harvested grass seed in a cool, dry location.
- Increase the grass seed's contact with the sand and soil by pressing it down with an empty lawn roller.
- Mow the lawn after harvesting the seeds, setting the blade high so that you remove no more than one-third of the grass height in the first cut.
Tip
Place a rain gauge on your lawn to help you measure 1 inch of water.
Related Articles
References
- City of Toronto: Grass Seeding Tips
- New South Wales Primary Industries Agriculture: Grassed up – Methods of Seed Harvesting
- Alberta Agricultural and Rural Development: Harvesting Grass Seed - Seed Storage
- New South Wales Primary Industries Agriculture: Grassed up – Methods of Seed Harvesting
- Alberta Agricultural and Rural Development: Harvesting Grass Seed - Seed Storage
Tips
- Place a rain gauge on your lawn to help you measure 1 inch of water.
Writer Bio
Based in Houston, Texas, Meg Butler is a professional farmer, house flipper and landscaper. When not busy learning about homes and appliances she's sharing that knowledge. Butler began blogging, editing and writing in 2000. Her work has appered in the "Houston Press" and several other publications. She has an A.A. in journalism and a B.A. in history from New York University.
