Typical seeding rates for a lawn is 3 to 5 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. To understand how much seed
you need, you would determine the number of square feet you have to plant and multiple that by 3 to 5.  This step is especially important if you buy lawn seed online, you want to make sure you have enough
delivered. 

Example – Assuming your back yard is 80 feet wide and 50 feet deep. This would be 4,000 sf. (80 ft x 50 ft = 4,000 sf) You would need about 20 lbs. seed for this area. (4,000 sf / 1,000 x 5 lb seeding rate = 20 lbs)

There are many factors that go into a successful lawn establishment.  However, the two primary factors are:

1) Seed to soil contact
2) Adequate water

You can just throw down grass seed, BUT you will be much more successful if you lightly rake the seed into the soil.  You do not want to bury the seed; just ensure the seed has good soil contact.

Adequate water is making sure the soil stays moist until the grass plants have established roots. You should lightly water multiple times a day while roots are being established.
 
After the grass plants have established roots, they can survive longer without being watered as frequently.

The best lawn seed for your yard is dependent on where you live. There are three basic climate areas to consider when determining which grass would thrive in your area:

Northern regions where cool-season grasses thrive

Deep South/Gulf regions where warm-season grasses grow best

Transition zones between the Northern and Deep South/Gulf regions

You can learn more about the grass type that would be best for your yard here, and with Swell Seed Co, it's easy to buy lawn seed online.

This depends on the type of grass. Cool-season grasses are best to lay down in early Fall when temperatures are between 60-80 degrees. 2 weeks before labor day is generally a good time to plant. For the warm-season grass seeds, grow best when temperatures are between 75-90 degrees, making the best time to plant in late spring.

There are a lot of things that can prevent your grass seed from growing, such as the time you put it down, weather conditions, using too much or too little water, or poor soil conditions. It's also important to avoid using products on your grass that could prohibit growth, like weed control products.

Two of the most common reasons for poor grass establishment:

1) Seed was buried too deep or lacked soil contact.
2) Too much to too little water.

Best to broadcast the seed over the desired area and lightly rake the seed into the soil.  After seeding, do not bury the seed with a layer of mulch. Yes, the mulch will help hold soil moisture, but it can also prevent the seed from germinating if it is too thick. Keep the soil moist, so seeds do not dry out, until the plants have a well-established root structure.

It's generally not recommended to use weed control products on your lawn, especially when you are trying to grow new seeds or revive your lawn.

When stored in a cool, dry place and away from all temperature extremes, grass seed should last between 10-18 months from the testing date without a significant decrease in the germination rate. After this time the seed can still be used, but each year after that will see the germination rate drop. Most sources report a 10-20% decrease for every year grass seed is stored.

Yes, you can order it right online with Swell Seed. Simply visit our shop, select your seed, and purchase! We ship nationwide.