Seed a Lawn | |
Starting a new lawn from seed can be gratifying because a healthy carpet of green grass makes any house look better. A landscaping contractor will charge $615 to sow a 2,000-square-foot lawn. You can do it yourself for $180 and save 70 percent. The job involves grading the topsoil, spreading seed and fertilizer with a drop or broadcast spreader and then rolling the surface. Preparing the soil and sowing the seed will take about two days depending on the condition of the soil. If there's a lot of handwork needed to remove rocks and stones, it will be more labor intensive. If you have to remove the existing lawn or the yard needs extensive grading, it will take longer and cost more to rent power equipment. Your investment in seed and time will dry up and blow away if you neglect the emerging new crop. Follow up regularly by watering to keep the soil moist so the seeds will germinate. Protect the new sprouts with a fine layer of hay as mulch. Tip: Carefully follow the instructions for the particular type of grass seed you've planted. |