How to Replant Lawn Grass

Learn about reseeding and the best options for starting a lawn over from scratch.

When Starting Over Makes Sense

A reseeding project lets you start your lawn over with a clean slate and is a great way for you to transform a lawn that is weedy, dry and damaged beyond repair into a green, thick lawn you can enjoy. Follow these steps to properly replant your lawn from seed.

How to Replant a Lawn

1. Clear the area. Kill weeds and any remaining poor-looking grass with a non-selective herbicide about 2 weeks before you want to seed your lawn. After everything is completely dead, rake the area to remove the debris.

2. Prep for success. Now is a great time to core aerate the area if your soil is really compact. (Learn more about aerating here.) After aerating, rake the area level and loosen the top ¼ inch of soil. Then add a 1-inch layer of Scotts® LawnSoil™ evenly across the entire planting area. It’s specifically formulated with a blend of rich, composted materials to provide an excellent growing environment for young seedlings.

3. Select your grass seed. Choose a Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed that is right for your location. Do you live in the north and need a grass type that stays green in cooler temperatures, or do you live in the south and need a grass type that stays green during the hot summer months? Be sure to also take into consideration the growing conditions in your area: How much sun? How much wear and tear from children and family pets? If you need help finding a grass type that matches your growing conditions, check out our Identify Your Grass article.

4. Spread your grass seed. Once you’ve selected your grass seed and your soil is prepped, it’s time to seed. This is the easy part. Just fill up your Scotts® spreader with grass seed, adjust the spreader settings according to the label directions (use the “New Lawn” coverage rate) and apply.

5. Feed for growth. After you’ve spread your grass seed, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Lawn Food for New Grass to provide developing grass seedlings much-needed nutrients so the young root system can grow deeper, faster. If you're reseeding with Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrasses or fescues, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Lawn Food for New Grass Plus Weed Preventer instead. It not only gives developing seedlings needed nutrients but also prevents listed weeds like dandelion and crabgrass from sprouting for up to 6 weeks.

6. Water daily. Proper watering is a critical step to seeding success. Keep the soil surface moist by watering daily or as needed until the seedlings reach at least 2 inches tall.

Future Maintenance

Once your newly seeded lawn reaches a mowing height, feel free to start mowing. Be sure to cut it at the highest setting ideal for your grass type (usually between 3-4 inches) and only remove the top 1/3 of the grass blades. After your new grass is established and has been mowed at least once, begin to cut back watering intervals to twice a week, applying about ½ inch of water each time. Six to eight weeks after planting, start fertilizing your new grass regularly with Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Food to help keep it thick and green.