Soil Prep When choosing to start a new lawn, remove old vegetation by using a de-thatcher, power rake or tiller to kill the existing vegetation. Rake or drag the area to remove debris and dead grass for a clean area. Ensure the soil is leveled and loosened to allow the seed to have good soil contact once spread on a clean seed bed. If you have an area with heavy weed coverage, we recommend starting fresh by killing and removing the existing vegetation. If you choose to use chemicals, herbicides or fertilizers, you must check with the product’s manufacturer prior to planting new seed to ensure the proper waiting period.  When overseeding an existing area, mow your lawn at the lowest setting and bag the clippings. Rake or drag any areas that have dead thatch or debris.   Seeding Seeding Rate: 1 - 2 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. or 50 - 100 lbs. per acre Overseeding Rate: 0.5 - 1 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. or 25 - 50 lbs. per acre Spread at the recommended rate based on total area and whether it is bare ground or pre-existing vegetation. Spreader Settings: There is not any one setting that applies for all brands of spreaders. We recommend reviewing the seed settings chart that came with your spreader or contact the manufacturer directly. Ensure you are choosing a seed on the list by the manufacturer that closely resembles the seed you are choosing to plant. If you have any concerns on what setting you should use, we recommend always starting with the smallest option then adjusting it to match the recommended seeding rate.   Fertilizer Grass like all living things need food to survive. Food for grasses is fertilizer. We recommend fertilizing every 3 - 4 months with Hancock's 16-04-08 Lawn & Pasture Fertilizer. Our 16-04-08 Lawn and Pasture Fertilizer is custom blended to provide a slow-releasing, water-activated economical fertilizer. Hancock's 16-04-08 Lawn & Pasture Fertilizer can be applied at a rate of 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. or 250 lbs. per acre. The most probable cause of a declining lawn or pasture is poor nutrition. If you have any concerns about your soil, we recommend getting your soil tested to determine what nutrients you are low in as well as your pH. The results of the soil testing will give you the best information to amend your soil for the best grass growth.   Watering Schedule For best results, water your lawn each morning and evening for 30 minutes based on weather conditions, until the new seedlings have reached the height of 3 - 5 inches for lawns or 8 - 20 inches for pasture. Once they have reached that height, water 3 times per week as needed. For best results, keep the soil moist while not over-watering the area or creating puddles.   Germination Time 21 - 30 days, under optimal conditions   Mowing Requirements Lawns: Mow at 3 - 5 inches regularly. Pastures: Mow or allow grazing to keep pastures maintained at 8-20 inches.