Question: How do I prepare the soil for my new lawn?

Answer: You do exactly the same soil preparation for any type of lawn, regardless of how it will be planted, be it from seed, sod, plugs or by hydromulching. Use a total-kill herbicide such as a glyphosate or similar product to eliminate all existing weeds. Allow the weedkiller 10 days to do its work, then rototill to a depth of 4 to 5 inches, deeper if you’re going to be doing significant grade changing. A rear-tine rototiller does the best job of pulverizing the soil to the consistency of flour, with no clumps larger than marbles. Use the back of a garden rake to establish the grade. Be sure the soil slopes away from your house, to ensure good drainage. At that point you’ll be ready to plant the new grass.