When planning to seed or sod a lawn, soil preparation is the fundamental element in having a successful lawn.
First, have your soil tested. Your soil may be lacking in certain nutrients or its pH may be out of balance. This is the best time to add lime or other amendments and enrich the soil so it can grow grass.
Ideally, the soil should be tilled. Compost or manure can be worked in to the top several inches of the soil profile. Remove debris like roots or rocks. Do not lay sod on compacted soil with expectations that it will grow.
Using a grading rake (sometimes called a landscaping rake) rake the soil smooth, eliminating any low or high spots. Take the time to get the surface as level as possible. Be aware of where surface runoff water may end up. Do not pitch the lawn towards a house or garage.
Finally, lay the sod or distribute the seed.
Soil preparation is the best time to begin to grow organically. Organic lawn care isn't just a personal decision it's also provides the best growing environment for plants. The main tenet of organics is to grow healthy soil. Working in some sort of organic material like compost, manure or humus is not only organic, it is giving the grass the best opportunity for healthy growth.
