After you have loosened up the growing soil, add any amendments/fertilizers that are needed based on your soil test and till them into the soil. After tilling, rake the growing area free of debris and you can start sowing your seed, planting your sprigs or plugs or installing sod. Now that you know the three basic options you have and how to plant a new lawn, you simply have to decide which growing method will work for you. They are further available in two varieties: quick release fertilizers which have an impact for a month and slow release fertilizers that last for up to 3 months. There are few factors to be kept in mind before applying fertilizers on your lawn. Determine the type of lawn grass, find out the soil type and measure the size of your lawn. If you want to check to see if your lawn is getting firmly rooted, simply tug on the turf. At the four week mark, you should apply an application of fertilizer to your new lawn. Problem Solvers for New Sod Lawns If you think that your sod is not taking root fast enough, you should know that sod lawns that are planted in excessive shade will have a slow time at putting down roots than sod lawns which are in full sun. Do you want to know what the most important thing is when it comes to starting a new lawn? It is soil preparation. If you have soil that is good condition, your lawn will be easier to keep up in the future and it will cost you a lot less money in the long run. Prior to starting a new lawn, you should get the soil tested. To prevent puddles and the washing away of seed, you may have to do this watering in intervals. For instance, three or four gentle waterings over a few hours may be what it takes to get your seed bed moist. It really depends on the type of soil you have, so monitor your watering efforts carefully. You do not want to over water. There are some grasses, which are considered warm season grasses and cold season grasses, which are quite suitable for the climate of North America. One has to remember that if there is some rain during the summer months, the grass is going to be dormant. The grass types which are good for cold climates, which mean the winters are cold and the summers are hot, are Kentucky Bluegrass, Red Fescue, Ryegrass and Bent grass.