As landscapers, we tend to take pride in our ability to grow and maintain a healthy lawn. After all, it’s usually one of the largest parts of our property and an area that instantly attracts attention when people are viewing our landscape. There are so many different factors that can affect the way your lawn looks, which is why it pays to have keen attention to detail and a willingness to make adjustments when needed. One of the issues that many landscapers run into when it comes to growing a lawn is figuring out the best way to use grass seed.

Whether you are starting a lawn from scratch or you simply want to add new growth in areas that are lacking in your lawn, grass seed can be a valuable tool to look into. Purchasing high-quality grass seed and using it to your advantage is a great way to keep your landscaping looking fantastic. We’ve put together a quick guide to grass seed below so that you can learn more about this important landscaping product and gain insight into the right way to use it on your lawn. Keep reading below to learn more and remember to reach out to Cal Blend Soils if you are interested in purchasing high-quality landscaping products at great prices.

Planting Versus Overseeding

There are plenty of different approaches to using grass seed in your landscaping. Two of the most frequent uses for grass seed are planting and overseeding. Planting a new lawn with grass seed is a nice option that can be very rewarding, although it will require some hard work and dedication. Additionally, you can consider overseeding your lawn, which basically means that you will be spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. Both options can provide extraordinary results.

If you are planting a new lawn with grass seed, there are several steps to achieve the goal of a vibrant and green turf. First, you will need to prepare the soil. Make sure you loosen up the top few inches of the soil and remove any debris. Next, break up any clumps of soil and level the areas where water might pool up. Then it’s time to plant the grass seed. Spread the seeds evenly over the area you are planting on and use a mechanical seeder in larger areas. Try to avoid putting too many seeds close together as it can cause the seedlings to compete with each other for nutrients. Cover the seeds with a small bit of soil and water the area often until the new grass starts to sprout.

For overseeding, you should mow the existing grass as short as possible and try to loosen the top layer of soil in bare spots of your lawn. Next, focus on getting rid of any debris and dead grass before adding the grass seed. After you lay down the grass seed, you should focus on watering and keeping a careful watch on how the new seedlings are doing. This is a nice way to add life to any areas of your lawn that are struggling.

Only Purchase the Best Grass Seeds

It’s very important to make sure you are only purchasing high-quality grass seeds from a reputable landscaping products company like Cal Blend Soils. This is the key to creating a truly great lawn. Look for NTEP rated grass seed, which tells you that it has been evaluated and rated by the National Turf Evaluation Program. That means you are purchasing a landscaping product that has been bred to provide vibrant colors, resist pests and plant diseases, and survive harsh conditions like drought. Some of the best grass seed to purchase at Cal Blend Soils includes options like the Kentucky 32 Seed, Drought Buster Seed, and Slope Control Seed.

The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed

Like many plants that are used in landscaping, certain times of the year are better for planting grass seed than others. Typically, planting during the spring and the fall will give you the best chances for success. Cool-season grasses do best when they are planted in those seasons since they usually won’t be able to survive periods of extreme heat or cold. If you are going with warm-season grasses, planting the early summer is a good way to give your seedlings the best chances for success. Just make sure you keep in mind that the time of the year that you are planting it will be a big factor in how well the seeds are able to sprout.

Mowing and Fertilizing Newly Planted Grass

After you have gotten your grass seed in the ground and notice that it has germinated, you might be wondering when the right time to mow and fertilize it is. It’s important to give your new grass enough time to establish strong root systems so that you don’t cause any problems when you are mowing. Consider it safe to mow after your new grass reaches about 3 to 4 inches in height. Remember to always keep those mower blades sharp so that you don’t damage your grass when you are cutting it. For fertilizing new grass seed, make sure you wait until you’ve mowed the area about 6 different times. That way, you can avoid burning young grass with fertilizers.

Final Thoughts


At some point in your landscaping career, there is a good chance that you will be using grass seed to improve your lawn. We hope the quick guide above has given you some valuable insight about how to approach using grass seed effectively and how to avoid some of the common mistakes that people make when planting new grass. Remember that you can purchase high-quality grass seed at Cal Blend Soils at the best market prices and that we can even deliver our products to the location of your choice for added convenience. Connect with one of our team members today to learn more.