Get matched with top lawn irrigation specialists in Berthold, ND

If you’re wondering whether grass seed will germinate on top of soil, the answer is yes. In fact, it’s the best way to plant your grass seed. Spread seeds in an even layer on top of loose, fertile soil will allow them to germinate and grow strong roots. Topping them with a thin layer of straw will help them retain moisture and stay put, as well as protect them from getting eaten by animals.

In general, cool-season grasses such as fescue grass, ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are best for creating a striped lawn. Warm-season grasses like bermuda and zoysia grass don't curl as much, so grass stripes aren't as easy to see. If you live in a climate that’s better suited for warm-season grass, zoysia grass will typically be your best option.

Having a luscious lawn won’t take a century to grow with hydroseeding—most hydroseed lawns sprout within 7 to 14 days. Once the new grass is about 4 inches tall, which is about six weeks after the installation, it’s ready to mow. After the initial mow, keep foot traffic at a minimum for another four weeks to solidify the rooting system.

Even the most shade-tolerant turf grass needs at least three or four hours of full sunlight or a good amount of partial sunlight throughout the day. You might want to look at other gardening options for full shade, like plants that can survive in full shade, hardscaping, or structural architecture, to still get that yard of your dreams without compromising on your landscaping design.