Growing new grass is all about site preparation. Without the
proper amendments and attention, grass seed will not germinate
and you will not achieve the desired result. Plan to prepare the
soil and plant grass the same day or in a two-day period. It's
essential to tackle the project in dry weather; rain will wash
away grass seed and make your task more difficult. Grow new
grass in the spring or summer so it has time to root before
winter sets in. Prepare the planting area by removing rocks,
sticks, weeds and other debris. Break up clumps of soil that are
larger than 1 inch in diameter. Run a rototiller over the
planting site until you loosen up the top 4 to 6 inches of soil.
Grass seed will root much better if it can easily move through
the soil. Shovel topsoil onto low-lying areas and dips. Leveling
off the area will prevent water from pooling. Mix the topsoil
into the local soil so the roots penetrate both. Rake until
smooth and level. Spread sand and compost on top of the soil to
improve drainage and add n