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New Lawns & Lawn reno
Plant Lawns: It’s expensive sod an entire lawn, and its too messy to just use seed, so a good compromise is to sod the front lawn and seed the back. Do a soil test first to determine your soil pH. Home tests kits are not too accurate, so send them out to a local soil test lab. Good drainage is essential so if you have a swamp, consider putting in a pond, rain garden, bog garden, deck, planters, raised beds or install a French drain to take the water away. To learn more about French drains, click here.
Healthy green grass.
Sod: Measure the area and add 5% extra. Lay the sod as soon as possible, preferably within a day or two of it’s arrival. Don’t allow sod to dry out: store in shade and cover with a taup or wet it down daily. Rototill 2 to 3 inches of compost into the soil to a depth of 6 inches.
Remove debris and rocks. Use a spreader to apply dolopril lime (according to soil test results), bonemeal or a starter fertilizer. Use a rake to work everything into the top inch of soil. Level the soil by raking and make sure there’s no dips or rises. Water 24 to 48 hours before planting.
Lay turf along paths, patios, flower beds first. Lay the sod pieces end to end firming them down as you go. Start the second row with sod piece cut in half and lay it against the first row, so the pieces are staggered. A carpet knife works well to cut sod. Lay the pieces so the fit snuggly together and are flat withouth air pockets. Avoid small pieces especially against paths, beds and hardscaping.
Once laid, roll the new sodded lawn with a light lawn roller. Avoid filling with water or using a heavy one as it compacts the soil.
Remove debris and rocks. Use a spreader to apply dolopril lime (according to soil test results), bonemeal or a starter fertilizer. Use a rake to work everything into the top inch of soil. Level the soil by raking and make sure there’s no dips or rises. Water 24 to 48 hours before planting.
Lay turf along paths, patios, flower beds first. Lay the sod pieces end to end firming them down as you go. Start the second row with sod piece cut in half and lay it against the first row, so the pieces are staggered. A carpet knife works well to cut sod. Lay the pieces so the fit snuggly together and are flat withouth air pockets. Avoid small pieces especially against paths, beds and hardscaping.
Once laid, roll the new sodded lawn with a light lawn roller. Avoid filling with water or using a heavy one as it compacts the soil.
Lay sod as soon as possible and don't let it dry out.
Water thoroughly daily so the water sinks through the sod into the roots. Taper off the watering to every second or third day the second week depending on the weather.
It’s best to keep off the soil for a couple of weeks until the grass starts to grow and the roots have connected to the soil.
Mow when the grass reaches 3 inches and at least 2 weeks has passed. Only cut 1/3rd off at a time so set your mower to 2.75 inches. Bag the clippings and make sure your mower blade is clean and sharp. In a month, apply a starter fertilizer (middle number is highest).
It’s best to keep off the soil for a couple of weeks until the grass starts to grow and the roots have connected to the soil.
Mow when the grass reaches 3 inches and at least 2 weeks has passed. Only cut 1/3rd off at a time so set your mower to 2.75 inches. Bag the clippings and make sure your mower blade is clean and sharp. In a month, apply a starter fertilizer (middle number is highest).
Use a spreader to spread lawn seed and fertilizers.
Seed: Select grade A grass seed suitable for your area and conditions. Note that grass does not like shade so if the area is really shady reconsider putting in a lawn. Prepare the area as would with laying sod: remove debris and rocks, add compost, rototill in, add a starter fertilizer, dolopril lime, rake to mix, level then water.
Wait a few days then use a spreader to spread seed evenly over the area. Use the back of a plastic leaf rack to work the seeds into the soil. Be gentle with short strokes or use a very light roller. Water lightly but thoroughly making sure all the areas are covered. Water 2 to 3 times per day with a gently spray as you don’t want the seeds to wash away. Keep the sprinklers on for 5 to 10 minutes. Once the grass sprouts, water daily for 15 to 30 minutes preferably in the morning.
Mow when the grass is firmly attached to the soil and it is no longer visible. The grass should be at least 4 inches in height and don’t mow when the grass is wet. Mower blades should be clean and sharp.
Wait a few days then use a spreader to spread seed evenly over the area. Use the back of a plastic leaf rack to work the seeds into the soil. Be gentle with short strokes or use a very light roller. Water lightly but thoroughly making sure all the areas are covered. Water 2 to 3 times per day with a gently spray as you don’t want the seeds to wash away. Keep the sprinklers on for 5 to 10 minutes. Once the grass sprouts, water daily for 15 to 30 minutes preferably in the morning.
Mow when the grass is firmly attached to the soil and it is no longer visible. The grass should be at least 4 inches in height and don’t mow when the grass is wet. Mower blades should be clean and sharp.
Lawn Renovations
Early spring and fall are good times to renovate lawns.
First set the mower at its lowest setting, then aerate, topdress (cover the grass) with1 to 3 inches of garden soil or compost with an organic starter fertilizer high in phosphorous (middle number on fertilizer labels) or just use bonemeal or mycorrizal fungi for turf. Allow the soil to settle for a week. Water the day before seeding and sodding and afterwards. Keep soil moist for good seed germination and from sod from drying out. Water a few times a day for 10 to 15 minutes, especially on sunny days so seeds do not dry out.