Just cleared my backyard which was all woods with undergrowth. Trees were removed and undergrowth was mulched very fine. After I had the backyard cleared I had it graded and added new topsoil. I live in NJ and it's the beginning of summer. I have two questions. 1) Is it better to plant grass seeds now to avoid having the topsoil washed away or should I wait until the beginning of the fall which is ideal grass growing conditions?

My second question is. If I wait until the fall to plant grass seeds is there any chemical I could put on the ground now to avoid the undergrowth from growing back?

Any feedback will be greatly be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Paul

Get your grass going now before it gets too hot. If you wait until fall you'll have weeds and brush trying to grow and would need to kill or regrade. Buy a grass known to do well in your area, mix of annual and perrenial. Spread well and rake into the top soils. I'd consider a mulch like straw to hold moisture. Water for sveral minures everyday for a week to 10 days and you should have a start. Keep the new grass moist either by watering or mother nature. A good starter fertilizer would be a good investment too.

ballengerb1,

Thanks I had one more question. The grading has been done for about 10 days now. I see the undergrowth sprouting through do I need to put down anything prior to seeding and fertilizing this weekend?