Some say the grass is always greener on the other side, but we say it is definitely greener on soft, fertile soil. Lawns are delicate creatures. In order to achieve the elegant and polished look of a freshly mowed lawn, you first have to lay the foundations for the dainty grass seeds to grow.

So what to do if you want to plant a nice green grassy yard on hard soil? 

Today we offer you a step-by-step guide with some tips on how to plant grass seed on hard dirt. You don’t need to have perfect soil; you just need to know how to prepare it and provide the best base for the lawn.

Can We Grow Grass on Hard Dirt?

The short answer is yes, you definitely can. But to do so, you’ll have to work on the soil a bit and transform it into something manageable.

Dirt becomes hard for several reasons. The most common ones include compaction because of physical use, for example, pathways or other worn spots where cars and people stepped on a lot, and the very soil composition, mainly clay soil types. This means that there are no air pockets inside the substrate, and the chances of growing a lawn are slim without them.

If you’re wondering how to grow grass on hard packed dirt, all you have to do is transform the soil. Since hard dirt lacks air, water, and nutrients, you’ll have to reintroduce air and organic matter into it. This is crucial since aftercare will do very little for your grass without the right soil preparation.

What Is the Best Way to Grow Grass on Dirt?

Growing grass can be as simple as sprinkling seeds on top of the dirt and giving them food and water regularly. This is not ideal if you want to achieve close to perfect results.

You’ll want to prepare the soil before sowing, offering fertilizer or compost. After that, it’s time to spread the seeds, lightly mixing them into the ground. Water them regularly to ensure healthy, consistent growth, and when new juicy grass emerges, begin mowing it when needed.

How to Grow Grass on Dirt

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to learn what needs to be done when growing grass from dirt. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to ensure you have a healthy, thriving lawn in no time.

Supplies

You’ll need the following utensils for growing the grass:

• Grass seeds – preferably high quality and specific to your local climate

• Rake

• Tiller

• Core aerator – this is optional, although it is a great solution if you’re working with hard dirt; this tool can usually be rented hourly

• Water

• Compost or fertilizer

Step-by-step Instructions

To ensure your success and flawless lawn, here are the steps on how to plant grass on dirt: 

Soil Testing

If you’re working with hard dirt specifically, this is an optional yet worth it step. Soil testing would give you a lot of intel about the ground's current condition and what steps you should follow to bring it back to life. You’ll know what sediments your dirt is made of and how much organic matter and nutrients it has. In general, you’ll know what you’re working with at baseline.