- 1). Start your lawn planting in spring, when the ground thaws and night time temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This timing will range from mid-April in Norfolk to late May in Lexington.
- 2). Prepare the soil. Rake the site to turn up the top 3 inches of clay and even out the planting foundation. Remove rocks, sticks and weeds, then mix 1 inch of quick-draining soil or topsoil into your clay to loosen it. Broadcast starter fertilizer across the entire site.
- 3). Fill a grass seed spreader with Virginia-friendly cultivars like Bermuda, centipedegrass or zoysiagrass, or opt for cool-season grasses like bentgrass, tall fescue, perennial rye grass or bluegrass.
- 4). Walk the site to broadcast the grass seed at a rate of 10 to 15 seeds per square inch. Walk in one direction and then back to ensure good coverage.
- 5). Rake the site to work the seed into the soil, then cover with another 1/4 inch of topsoil or quick-draining soil to keep the seed moist and in place.
- 6). Water the site with enough water to moisten the top 2 inches of soil.
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