When buying grass seed they are sold per pound but also have a value called ‘seeds per pound’. Each species of grass has slightly different sizes and shapes of seeds, so knowing what variety of grass seed you will need dramatically changes how much grass seed you need. Today, I will cover how to calculate how much grass seed you will need in pounds based on the variety of seed, and the area of the space you want to cover.
In general, first calculate the square feet of the area you are sowing grass seed over, and find out what zone you are in. Then determine what species of seed you are getting. Finally, put all of this info in the calculator below. It will give you how much seed in lbs you need.
Overseeding is a bit different and on average it requires only 30% of what you need to sow a new lawn. Below is the calculator and how it differs based on whether you are sewing a new lawn, or overseeding an existing lawn, where you didn’t use enough seed.
Grass Seed Estimator / Calculator
It’s possible to apply too much grass seed which means there will be some wastage, and it will take longer for your law to be in perfect health. Therefore, it’s important to know how much grass seed you should use. Below is how to calculate it.
Overall, begin by calculating the square foot of the area you are putting the grass seed. Then find the zone you live in such as Zone 1 or Zone 2. Make note or decide the variety of seed you are getting. After that, put all of this info into this calculator provided by Lowe’s.
If too much seed is spread the grass will be very dense. This can cause a few issues but over time these areas will naturally thin. The main issue is these areas tend to stay wet longer.
Because the grass is so tightly packed together it has a hard time drying, which ends up causing disease. Therefore, it’s best to stick to the recommended amount of grass seed you should get. And you should aim to not exceed it by much.
How to Calculate How Much Grass Seed You Need
It’s better to err on the side of not enough seeds because you can always add more later. However, first you need to calculate how much grass seed you need total. Below is how to calculate how much grass seed you need.
In general, calculate the square foot of the area you are applying grass seed to, by multiplying the length by the width. After that find out what zone you are in, and the grass seed you are going to use. Put all this info into the calculator below, it will tell you how much seed you need in lbs.
Here is a link to the calculator you should use. There is a slight difference between overseeding and seeding a new lawn. When overseeding you use 30% of the seed you would use for a new lawn.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 28, 2022.
If overseeding
The same calculation and calculator can be done for overseeding. However, after you have the total seeds you will need in lbs. You divide this number by 3.
The reason is you use only 30% of the seeds you would when overseeding. When overseeding you can spread the seed by hand. But, another option is to use a handheld seed spreader.
These are under $20, and are great for ensuring you have optimum seed coverage. They have a dial that you set based on the type of seed it is. It can be adjusted to disperse a little or a lot of seed at a time.
How to Calculate Cost of Grass Seed
Calculating the total cost of grass seed is very easy. But, there are a few key numbers you need to know first. Below is how to calculate the total cost of grass seed.
Generally, calculate the area where you will be applying the grass seed, as well as, what variety of seed it is, such as full sun (seed mix), full shade (seed mix), or a specific species. Then use the calculator below. For overseeding rather than a new lawn divide the number by 3.
On top of that, you may decide it’s a good idea to get a handheld seed spreader. These are not required but are more accurate to use when spreading seeds. They are under $20 and are definitely worth a try.
They precisely control the amount of seeds that are applied to an area. A handheld seed spreader ensures you get the optimum seed spread.
If seeds are spread too close together the grass will take longer to develop into a perfect even lawn. Also, if you use too few seeds the grass will need to be overseeded to fill in the gaps.
How to Calculate Cost of Grass Seed Project
Applying some grass seed is very simple, in fact there are very few tools you need to do it. Below are all the costs involved in installing grass seed on a new lawn, or overseeding an existing lawn.
In general, add together the cost of the seed, the cost of a rake (if you don’t already have one), and the cost of a seed spreader. A seed spreader is optional but is recommended to ensure you get the optimum seed overage. Typically, having a contractor do it is not required.
The reason is applying grass seed is VERY easy. You simply need to apply the seed by hand, or using a seed spreader. After that you rake in the seed, if it’s an existing lawn.
Otherwise you water the grass seed, and you’re done.
Other Things to Consider When Estimating Grass Seed Project
Estimating a grass seed project involves knowing some key numbers, after that it’s very easy to figure out a very accurate cost. Below, is everything you need to consider when estimating a grass seed project.
What seeds variety and/or seed mix you will get, and how densely to apply the grass seed are the two main considerations. The other is that the soil should not be compacted, and ideally you should have 4 inches of loose soil to get the best results. This can require additional labor.
Applying grass seed is very easy, and you simply spread it over an area, and then rake it in. After that you water the grass seed and let it germinate.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 28, 2022.
Overall, calculate the area where you will be applying the grass seed. As well as, what zone you are in, and variety of seed you want/need. Such as, a full shade, full sun variety. After that use the calculator below it will calculate how much seed you will need in lbs.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 28, 2022.