A lawn that calls to mind the lush landscape of Hawaii is sure to charm anyone. Grasses are hardy plants. They grow easily with little or almost no maintenance required. However, like any gardening project, following basic procedures in seeding is the key to turning your yard into a carpet of green.

• Determine the right grass. The first step to a beautiful turf begins with choosing the right type of grass for your lawn. Choose based on your yard’s soil type, climate, conditions and hardiness zone. Is your lawn shady or exposed to full sun, loamy or sandy? How about foot traffic in your lawn? – Some grass can handle heavy traffic easily when constantly trod upon. Consult a nursery expert for the best choices.
• Prepare the site. By properly laying the foundation prior to planting grass seeds, problems such as weeds, yellowing, and diseases are avoided. Conduct a soil test to determine pH content and appropriate types of fertilizers for your soil. If planting on a dead lawn, get rid of existing weeds, old grass, and sod using a leveler. Till the soil before and after applying fertilizer to make sure that nutrients are thoroughly spread to all layers of the soil. Finally, give the lawn a leveled and smooth finish by raking the area.
• Seed the yard. You can use a seed spreader or your hands to spread the grass seeds. Cover the seeds with about ⅛ to ¼ inch soil. Slightly pat down the soil to close contact with the seed. Make sure to space the grass seeds well to prevent your yard from becoming a jungle.
• Water the seeds. How frequently you should water the seeds depends on the season and the soil type. If it’s rainy season, no need to water regularly. Touch the soil; if it’s dry to the touch, it’s time to turn on the sprinkler.
• Apply fertilizer. Cool season grasses should be fertilized throughout spring and fall, while the warm season grasses should be fertilized in late spring and throughout summer. Talk to the nursery expert for recommendations. Six weeks after seeding, mow the grass for the first time, and then mow regularly, keeping it at about 1/3 of an inch taller than its maximum height.

By following the steps above, you can easily have a green expanse that rivals the lushness of Hawaii’s landscape!