Starting a new lawn from seed or reseeding your existing turf is a budget-friendly way to get your lawn off to a great start. Here’s how to determine how much you need, and some tips to help you get planting.

• First, choose your seed

  There are many different types of grass seed available. Depending on your region and climate conditions, some grass types may thrive better than others. Trusted in-store brands such as Scotts and Pennington have developed new seed technology that holds in moisture, which means you spend less time watering and enjoy lower utility costs. Choosing the right grass for your lawn is easy with this handy buying guide.

• Calculate the size of your lawn

  Once you’ve chosen the type of seed, measure the dimensions you want your lawn to be.

  • Front yard
  • Width:ft.in.
  • Length:ft.in.
  •  
  • Backyard
  • Width:ft.in.
  • Length:ft.in.
  •  
  • Multiply
  • Width:x Length=square feet

• Determine how much seed you need

  Take your calculations with you to avoid purchasing too much or too little seed for this task. This simple step can be a big time and money saver in the long run.

  Be sure to check the grass seed label or ask a Certified Nursery Consultant to help determine how many pounds of grass seed are needed per square foot (this ratio can be found on most grass seed packaging). It may differ depending on the seed mixture or brand you select. This will help you determine exactly how many bags of seed you need.

  If you would like to have a rough idea of how much you need before you go to the store, enter your measurements into The Home Depot’s grass seed calculator.

• Other tools you may need

  • Reseeding your lawn is an easy project when you have the right tools, including a garden rake, broadcast spreader, spade and hose.

  • Before you seed, decide whether you want to use this opportunity to add an in-ground irrigation system to make lawn watering easier and more efficient. If you do, you’ll find options by brands such as Toro and Orbit in-store.

  • Add organic materials such as compost and mulch after you seed, to add nutrients to your lawn soil while protecting your seedlings.

  • For step-by-step instructions, check out our guide to starting a new lawn from seed.