When putting in a lawn, you’ve got several ways to go: seeds, sod, plugs, or sprigs. Seeding is the least expensive method but it takes work and time. A sod lawn, while expensive, looks great immediately and is ready to walk on in about 2 weeks. Sprigs and plugs are both less expensive than sod, but you use them mainly to plant warm-season grasses. They send out horizontal runners that fill the lawn in 9-12 weeks.
Before planting any type of lawn, prepare the soil.

Step by Step: Planting a Lawn
1. Install edgings, if desired.
2. Install an in-ground sprinkler system if desired.
3. Work amendment such as compost and fertilizer into the top 8 inches of soil, or make several passes with a rotary tiller. Take care not to disturb any pipes or utilities below.
4. With a rake, level the low and high spots and remove any rocks or debris. If you’ll be laying sod, allow for its depth by raking the soil an inch lower than adjoining sidewalks, driveways, or edgings.
5. Use a half-filled roller to firm the soil, then water to further settle it. The finished grade should be ½ inch lower than adjacent edgings or pavement - 1 inch lower if you’re planting sod.

Tools and Materials
- metal rake
- shovel
- rotary tiller
- roller

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