How to make grass seed grow...

The first thing people do when they try to plant grass seed is dig up the old grass, rake the leftover soil, spread some seed and then water it...this may or may not work.

A more reliable way to plant seed with much less effort is to simply
1) Buy some top soil and put it into a large tub or wheel barrow. The cheap soil works fine, but usually has some left over weed seed in it.  The more expensive top soil is sometimes heated to kill any weed seed.

2) Buy long fescue or bluegrass perennial seed (watch out, seed manufacturers try to load up the bag with annual seed or inorganic material that may help the seed to grow quickly, but it won't last long).

3)  Mix the seed into the soil gently with a shovel..there should be at least 6 seeds per cubic inch of soil

4) You could also add some starter fertilizer (as per bag's directions), but this isn't necessary

5) Once mixed, spread the mixer over the bare spot - no need to rake because it will naturally even out after the first watering/rain

6) If you live in New England there isn't really too much need to water it unless you are in the dry months (July, August)...it usually rains once a week otherwise.  But if you want to help it along, give it a light water - take care not to wash away the seed.  Perform the light watering once ever 2 days for a week.  Within 2 weeks you should start to see seedlings.

I have successfully used this procedure for many years. Why did you need to replant so frequently you ask? Because I didn't have an inground sprinkler system and for some reason, I was always traveling during the hottest weeks of the year (didn't feel confident enough in my timers to leave them on during vacation) - killing my grass!

After 10 years I finally gave in and had an inground sprinkler system installed.  I now have a lush green lawn with no bare spots...inground sprinklers make this easy!

Good Luck,

Dr.