Fence, yard, nailer

[OWC Jamie]

To test a questionable bag of grass seed, put some in a small (margarine tub works good) planter on the kitchen table, where you can keep it moist enough. I've always used dirt, but theoretically dirt is not required, to test if the seed actually sprouts.
I've had old bags and the seed does go bad.
Seed with a reasonable expiration date could have been stored poorly, as well.

Sand might be to fool the birds. ??

[elmo3]

I agree. If there's a fence, and she's in the yard, nail'er.

[Ted King]

I would think that if you had put down too much fertilizer (pretty much just the nitrogen is usually the problem) that the seeds would sprout and then "burn off" (turn yellow and die).