How To Grow Grass In Trays

There's something soothing about a perfectly trimmed patch of green grass. The uniform color and thick texture invite the eye to linger and the fingers to touch. Bring a little bit of this ambiance into your home or office by creating a miniature grass landscape in a tray. Whether you add small figures for an amusing display or trim it short and leave it as a stark green statement, you can create your own miniature lawn with very little effort.

Step 1

Purchase a plastic or metal tray that is 2-inches deep. The length and width of the tray don't matter; get one that fits in the area you wish to decorate. You may use recycled baking pans, plastic trays or shallow planters.

Step 2

Punch holes on the bottom of the tray using a hammer and nail. Space the holes in a regular pattern, 3-inches apart.

Step 3

Fill the tray with a 1 1/2-inch layer of fresh potting soil. Do not reuse soil from other planters as they will have fewer nutrients and may harbor weed seeds or diseased organisms.

Step 4

Sprinkle a thick layer of grass seed over the soil. Use a fast-growing variety of seed, like wheatgrass, fescue or oatgrass.

Step 5

Sprinkle the soil and seeds with water to dampen them. Cover the seeds with a layer of dampened coffee filters. Place the tray in a warm spot until the seeds begin to sprout. Be sure to keep the coffee filters damp.

Step 6

Remove the coffee filters when the grass has started to sprout. Place the grass in a sunny window or under a grow lamp. Keep the soil moist, but not wet by misting it daily.