- 1). Obtain enough clean topsoil to cover the desired area to a depth of about 2 inches. Calculate how much seed is needed by referencing seed bag directions, which will indicate how much grass seed is needed to cover a 1000 square foot area; the amount needed varies depending on the variety of grass being planted. Mix topsoil and grass seed together and spread it in the area to be planted, or disperse grass seed over the prepared topsoil then rake or brush it in with a broom to assure firm contact with the soil. Dampen the soil and seed with a garden hose or sprinkler.
- 2). Use a garden hose or sprinkler to dampen a sufficient number of bales of straw to mulch the seeded area. One bale will cover between 500 and 1,000 square feet depending on the size of the bale and the desired density of the straw.
- 3). Untwist the baling wires or cut the rope containing the straw bales. Remove the wire or rope to a safe location; if left with the straw and distributed on the lawn it could cause harm to the lawnmower, or lawnmower operator, at a later date. Once the bale containment is removed, the bale will spring open into chunks called flakes.
- 4). Lift one flake of straw away from the bale and carry it to the edge of the seeded area. Ease the flake apart and lightly distribute the damp straw over the seeded soil. Straw casts shade on the underlying soil and disperses wind currents along the surface of the ground, protecting the grass seed from drying out, so it need not be a solid, heavy layer. A sparse protective covering with soil still visible between the straws will do.
- 5). Cover a strip of seeded soil the width of a comfortable arms-length reach. Then lay a wooden plank on the already-mulched area to step on to reach the next strip of seeded soil for straw mulching. The plank will distribute your body weight to avoid marring your new lawn with embedded footprints.
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