Seeding a Lawn

[Adam Robinson]

Just wondering if Ron or anyone else knows the correct or best way to seed a lawn. We live in Maine & purchased our first home at the end of November just before we had our first big snow fall. Because of this we didn't get a chance to clear the yard of leaves or get a good look at what we had. Since the snow has left finally we have racked the whole yard removing the leaves, dead branches, dead grass, any moss, & any rocks. We also had some tree's professional removed today so the yard will get more sunlight & be more open. Our problem is the yard has allot of bare spots with some or no grass at all. All the other yards on our block already have grass coming in or mostly green by now. And we know the yard at one point had a very green lush lawn because of pictures from the previous owners. We purchased some grass seed that was recommended to us by our local Home Depot a sun & shade mix (Kentucky blue grass we think). We layed the seeds & have been keeping the lawn moist but its been roughly two weeks & we got nothing. Any suggestions would be great thanks

Watching the grass grow,
Adam

[maktec]

You probably have a lawn already, I just noticed your forum question.
Here is what I have done.  First of all go to a good lawn and garden supply, not a lumber company, they know  about seeding, most of them go to classes on this.
1. Till the area to a depth of at least 8", the grass can get good penetration into the soil.
2. Sow grass Starter fertilizer as recommended, and same fertilizer after 2 weeks.
3. Sow the grass.. I have used TALL FESCUE.  The roots grow to 3-4 feet down. The others have short root system.  I over sowed the area about    3 times the recommended.
4. Lightly cover with straw, this protect wash out and holds in the moisture for much longer.
5. Water to a depth of 1" daily.
6. After one month sow with a recommended fertilizer. recommended from your garden supply.
  Now after 3 1/2 weeks have a very thick 2" of brand new beautiful grass.  The first two weeks it looked like it wasnt' doing anything.. but all of a sudden here is the grass. 

Hope this helps.
George, Portage, in