Before you begin, you’ll need a hydrospray mulch — you’ll mix this with your seed and water to make the slurry. You can get a 50-pound bag of Second Nature paper fiber hydroseeding mulch for $26.68 from Justin Seed Co. Measure the area you plan to plant in square feet to work out the volumes of seed and hydrospray mulch you need to buy. Now, It’s time to test your soil! Like all plants, grasses thrive on the right balance of macronutrients (phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium), an enormous range of micronutrients, and pH (acid or alkaline) ranges. Soil testing helps you determine the health of the ground under your lawn and what you may need to add or amend.

The process has been made surprisingly easy thanks to sophisticated DIY kits that are available for purchase online. If you have a considerable property or multiple lawns, get a large soil test kit — run up to three tests at a time — for $104.95 from Harris Seeds. On a budget? Walmart sells the highly-rated MySoil test kit for $29.99. While these kits work similarly, it’s best to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to ensure you get reliable results. Once your soil test is done, it’s time to prepare your lawn for spraying.