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How and when to plant grass seed


How to Plant Grass Seed

Planting grass seed is an economical and satisfying way to expand the green space around your home or improve your existing lawn. In order to enjoy successful grass establishment and all the benefits seeding offers, follow these eight steps to grow a lush, inviting green lawn:

  1. Choose the Right Time of Year
  2. Prepare the Site
  3. Prepare the Soil
  4. Choose the Best Seed
  5. Plant the Seed
  6. Water Appropriately
  7. Monitor Seed Establishment
  8. Mow and Maintain

The time of year you plant grass seed has a direct effect on its success. Proper timing helps ensure your grass seed will germinate properly, grow quickly and remain healthy while new seedlings become established.

The best time to plant grass seed varies according to your grass growing region and the type of grass you grow. Lawns across the northern tier of the United States typically consist of cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue or perennial ryegrass. Planting during cool weather in fall and spring coincides with the most active growth periods for these grass types.

In Massachusetts, for example, early fall is the ideal time to plant grass seed.1 At this time, the ground is still warm enough to aid germination, but the days are cool and sometimes rainy. This combination helps ensure newly planted seeds don't dry out. There's also sufficient daylight in early fall to allow new grass to thrive and become established before winter's arrival.

Spring seeding is your second best option for planting cool-season grasses. Aim to seed early in the season, but wait until daytime temperatures are in the 60 to 75 degree Fahrenheit range. This roughly corresponds to the optimal soil temperatures for cool-season grass seed germination. Spring sunshine and rain both contribute to strong grass growth.

For lawns across the southern half of the U.S., warm-season lawn grasses such as Bermudagrass, Zoysia grass, Bahiagrass and Centipede grass are the rule. These grasses are best planted during their optimal growth period, which falls in spring and early summer instead of fall. Wait to plant warm-season grasses until daytime temperatures stay near 80 F or higher and all danger of a late spring frost in your area has passed.


A healthy, attractive lawn starts with proper site preparation. Proper grading of the site prior to planting is important, as it helps ensure water drains away efficiently and allows for easy mowing. Sloping the lawn area away from buildings at a rate of 1 to 2 percent is recommended.2 Avoid creating steeper slopes, as they tend to cause lawns to dry out too quickly. Smooth the site well to avoid depressions, which can create wet spots that are hard to mow and prone to disease.

If you intend to replace the entire lawn, it's important to do a thorough job of removing the old turf. Use a sod cutter to take out the old grass at the roots. Another option for clearing the area is to spray the lawn with a non-selective herbicide, which kills both grass and broadleaf plants. If you choose to spray, follow label instructions for your product closely and avoid any contact with grass or plants you want to keep.

After the product's designated waiting period, reapply as needed to kill any remaining grass. Once you're certain that the turf you want to replace is dead, clear the dead grass from the site and make any needed adjustments to the grade to prepare for seeding.

Optimum soil conditions boost successful seed germination and support healthy turf growth. To prepare your soil for planting, do the following:

To succeed at growing a healthy lawn, it's important to buy quality grass seed that is well-suited to your climate and your growing conditions. Premium, purebred Pennington Smart Seed grasses are water-conserving, drought-resistant and developed for superior performance in home lawns.

Whether you grow warm-season or cool-season grasses depends primarily on where you live. Warm-season lawn grasses are best suited to southern climates and grow most vigorously during the warm months of the year. They typically go dormant and brown in the winter. Cool-season grasses are typically used in northern and transition zone lawns, growing best where summers are moderate and winters are cold. They remain green all year, but can go brown and dormant in heat and drought.

In many areas of the country, you can opt for a mix of seed specific to your region. Smart Seed mixes are designed for lawns in the Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Northwest and Pennsylvania State. If you're growing lawn grass in shade, choose a grass seed product such as Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade, which is formulated especially for challenging low-light conditions. For lawns with variable shade and sun, Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade provides the solution you need.

Once amendments are complete and your soil surface is smooth and prepped, broadcast the seed evenly according to your seed product's recommended seeding rates. Remember to carefully review the seed package label instructions and follow the guidelines. Misapplication of seed can lead to unsatisfactory results.

Choosing the right type of spreader for your situation helps you get the results you need. A drop spreader drops seed straight down in a path the width of your spreader as you move across your lawn. This type of spreader maneuvers well in tight spaces and is ideal for small lawns (less than 5,000 sq. ft.), which typically require more precision in where the seed lands.

A broadcast or rotary spreader comes in walk-behind and hand-held types that spread seed by fanning it out in all directions, providing more uniform coverage. These spreaders are ideal for large lawns, but they lack the precision drop spreaders provide.

Once you finish spreading the seed, use a rake to lightly work it into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch. Don't bury the seeds any deeper; grass seed needs adequate light to germinate quickly. After raking, pass over the area with a roller, which helps ensure the good seed-to-soil contact your new seed needs.

Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed into an existing lawn. This is done to improve your lawn's overall look and health, thicken your grass, minimize weeds, fill in bare or damaged areas, or convert to another type of lawn grass. Also, southern lawns are often overseeded with a cool-season grass to provide green color during winter months. When overseeding, broadcast the seed over the lawn, and water it in well, following the same instructions as for new lawns.

Keeping grass seeds and seedlings constantly moist but not soggy is critical to successful grass-seeding efforts. Water newly seeded areas two to three times a day with a light spray to keep the seeds moist. Stop watering when puddles begin to appear on the soil surface. Once the seeds germinate and grass seedlings begin to grow, gradually transition to watering less frequently but more heavily. Taper off watering as the grass becomes taller and more mature.


Depending on the type of grass you're growing, germination may take anywhere from five to 21 days. Expect your new grass to take another four to 10 weeks to root well and become established. It will take a full season for most grasses to mature to the point where they're ready for steady foot traffic.

Once your new seedlings reach about 1 inch in height, examine the newly seeded area for any bare spots or places you may have missed. Reseed the bare areas, and repeat the process as needed until new seedlings are thick and you're satisfied with the results.

Once your grass reaches 3 inches high, it's ready to withstand mowing. Always follow best practices for mowing lawns, including the recommended mowing heights for your type of grass. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing or you can stress your grass and invite lawn disease, lawn weeds and weak growth. With fall-planted cool-season lawns, your first mowing may need to wait until the following spring.

During the first season of establishment, young grass is still tender, so avoid as much foot traffic as possible. Keep your grass growing strong with regular maintenance, including irrigation. Water as needed to supplement rainfall so your lawn receives about 1 inch of water per week under normal conditions.

Begin fertilizing cool-season lawns four to eight weeks after seed germination, but never later than November. For warm-season grasses, wait until the following spring to feed your new lawn. After initial feedings, you might need to fertilize up to four times a year, according to your soil test recommendations. Retest the soil every three to four years, and adjust accordingly.

Conclusion

By choosing the best grass for your region and your lawn's conditions — and following these simple guidelines — planting grass seed is a straightforward project that will transform for your yard. Pennington is dedicated to providing you with the resources and premium products you need to grow lush, beautiful turf. You and your family and friends can enjoy all the benefits of a beautiful, natural lawn.

Total Time Required to Transform Your Lawn: 6-12 weeks, depending on the region, weather and grass type.

How hard you'll have to work on a scale of 1-4: 3 (a little work goes a long way especially during the prep phase)

Time breakdown:

Pennington and Smart Seed are registered trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.

Sources:

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst, “Lawn Renovation and Overseeding."

2. Ricigliano, D., "Lawn Establishment, Renovation and Overseeding," University of Maryland Extension, 2016.

3. Nathan, M. and Fresenburg, B., "Soil Testing for Lawns," University of Missouri Extension, June 2008.

4. Grande, J., "Seeding Your Lawn," Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, February 2004.

How to grow grass from grass seed the easy way

Planting grass seed is a way to expand your lawn into new areas and maximize the green space around your home. You can also plant new grass seed to improve your current lawn if it’s looking a little dingy. You can even use grass seed to restart your lawn completely. 

Before you seed, start with some quick and easy prep work.

Make sure it’s the right time of year for seeding

As an easy rule, if you’re experiencing (or are about to experience) harsh temperatures you’ll want to wait until the extreme weather passes to plant your grass seed for best results.  

Either spring or fall is the best time to plant, based on your region and grass type. To keep this simple, if you’re in the northern part of the country, you’re likely in the ‘cool season’ area, meaning the best time to plant grass seeds is the fall, or typically September through November. If you’re in the southern or middle regions, you’ll likely want to plant in spring or early summer, typically March – June.

Trying to plant seed out of season may still be possible, but it can make for slower growing and hurt the chances of the new grass’s survival. Just something to keep in mind.

Use the right type of grass seed for your area

Using the same regions shown above, you’ll want to buy a grass seed type that grows best in your climate.

Pennington’s article on grass types based on more specific regions may be helpful if you’re still trying to decide.

Supplies you’ll need

Assuming that the timing is right, here’s what you’ll need to buy.

Grass seed

We recommend shopping on Amazon, Home Depot, or Lowes for fast and convenient selections. Home Depot will probably be able to provide more insight if you feel you’re still questioning what grass type or how much to buy.

Check out this article on the Spruce for the best grass seed picks in 2020.A pH Tester 

This will be used to test your soil before adding the seed. You can find these on Amazon for around $10.

Grass feeder (aka fertilizer)

Once planted, the seed will need to start growing quickly, before surrounding weeds out-grow and kill it. Grass feeder should be applied right after the seeds are planted, so be sure to add this to your cart as well.

Here are the top 10 lawn fertilizers of 2020 based on BestReviews.Guide

Lawn soil

To protect the seeds from blowing away, being burned by the sun, eaten by birds, etc. you’ll want to bury the seeds under a layer of nutrient-dense soil, like Scotts turf builder. Local nurseries and Home Depot or Lowes will have soil available, just make sure to explain your use before buying, to avoid any soil with weed seed.

3 easy steps to plant grass seed
Step 1:
Prepare the surface of the lawn

Whether you are seeding for the very first time or just overseeding your existing thinned out lawn, you need to make sure you have a good, solid foundation. Make sure to remove weeds, rocks, sticks, and other debris from the lawn. 

Check any uneven areas so you can try to level the ground before laying down any seed. This will help prevent water from collecting and pooling in low areas, which will cause the seed to rot.

Loosen the soil

If your soil is compacted, you will need to loosen at least the top four inches of soil. You can use a tiller or rake. This will allow air flow and will provide the best chance for vigorous growth.

You can also scatter out a thin layer of topsoil over the lawn at this stage. Since it is freshly laid, it will not be compacted, allowing good airflow. Make sure to keep enough left for coverage at the end. 

Applying topsoil will also level out the lawn for a nice and even look, which will also help you avoid puddles when you are watering. If you encounter divots or holes, this is a good time to fill them in to prevent problem areas once the grass starts growing.

Step 2: Enrich your soil with nutrients to help grass seeds grow

If you’re planting new grass seed because your lawn is dead or struggling to grow, there may be deeper issues to address with your soil.

This is where you’ll need to get out your pH tester. Ideally, the pH for most grass types is between 6.0 and 7.0. 

If your soil’s pH is under 6.0, it is too acidic, meaning it needs nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. Lime (aka limestone) can be applied to the soil to help increase the soil pH and make those nutrients more available.

If your soil’s pH is above a 7, add compost, peat, sulfur, or fertilizer to lower the pH.

Step 3: Lay and feed the grass seed 

When laying down seeds, you must do a pretty heavy application for a brand new lawn.  Try to maintain an even application over the entire area so that everything gets covered.

Alternatively, you need lighter coverage when overseeding an existing lawn. Put more grass seed in sparse areas to promote growth.

To lay the seed, you can just use your bare hands or a spreader for larger areas. 

Cover up the seeds or work the seeds into the soil 

When seed is only applied to the surface level of the ground, it will dry out quickly and will not germinate. It might also get washed away by water or wind.

Add another thin layer of the soil that you purchased onto your lawn to bury the seeds. 

If you do not have soil to put on top of the seeds, the seed must be worked into the soil; about ⅓ to ½ inch deep. After sowing the seed, use a rake to work the seed into the soil and smooth the surface. 

This will keep the water from evaporating immediately, thus keeping the ground moist. It also protects the seeds from wildlife. 

Add your feeder

Once the seed is applied to the soil, treat the yard with fertilizer to accelerate growth.

Maintaining your lawn after seeding
Water every single day

The final step in successfully planting grass seed is to keep the lawn adequately moisturized all the time. This is very crucial in the process.

If the seed dries out, it will die. After sowing grass seed, they will need constant and frequent watering unlike the “water deeply and less frequently” watering for mature grass. This is to help the seed germinate and develop its root system for a healthy lawn.

On the other hand, overwatering will hinder the germination process as well, so you need to use just enough water to keep the soil moist at seed depth. It should be moist, never soggy. 

You must commit to water the new or overseeded lawn at least two to three times every single day to keep the top inch of the soil moist at all times. The germination time for grass seed ranges from 5 to 30 days depending on the variety or longer in cooler temperatures.

Check moisture levels

Once the seedbed has started to establish itself and sprouts have begun to pop out, continue to check the ground’s moisture regularly. If you notice it getting dry, add some water.

Remember, these new grass seedlings have very short roots and they will still require very frequent watering so the roots can spread out. Steps one and two will just go to waste if the watering part will not be done appropriately, so your commitment is a must!

For after-care, whether you have seeded a new lawn or just filled in a bare spot, start mowing your grass after 8 weeks or until the grass has reached a mowing height. Do not cut it too short and do not cut more than one-third of its height as it will stress out the grass.

FAQs
How long does new grass seed take to grow?

Generally speaking, it takes between 7 and 30 days for grass seed germination to begin.

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on top of your existing lawn?

While it’s possible to simply sow the new grass seed over your existing lawn, taking the time to prepare your lawn beforehand will increase the likelihood of seed germination and improve your end result.

Will grass seed grow if I just throw it down?

Probably not. Some seeds on the soil’s surface will sprout, but the germination rate will diminish, and you will not be left with ideal results. 

Will grass seed germinate on top of soil?

It depends how loose your soil is. Grass seeds are not strong enough to grow through soil. They’re meant to be placed on top of loose, prepared soil. Germination can quickly suffer from too much soil on top of them.

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How to plant lawn grass - do-it-yourself lawn preparation

So! You have decided to get a lawn in your area. A reasonable question arises - when and how to plant lawn grass?
Let's start in order.

Content:

How to choose lawn grass
When to sow lawn
Preparing the soil for lawn grass
How to plant lawn grass yourself
How to care for lawn grass
Seasonal lawn care

How to choose lawn grass

The decisive issue for the choice of lawn grass mixture is its intended purpose. Usually the name of the lawn grass that you see on the packaging speaks for itself. For example:

Sports turf is a turf for high traffic areas. It can be sports and playgrounds, playgrounds for active games of dogs. Such a lawn is resistant to trampling, but grows quickly, which requires frequent mowing.

Parterre lawn - a lawn with a decorative function, serves as a backdrop for solitary plants and flower beds. It has a bright color and a beautiful sheen. Requires regular watering and space open to sunlight.

Dwarf Lawn is a lawn that contains low growing, slow growing grass species, making it easy to care for and minimizing the need for mowing. It is more often used as decorative, because it is subject to trampling.

Slope Turf - In this lawn, the grasses are selected to form a strong root layer (turf) that is able to hold the soil on the slope and prevent erosion.

When to sow lawn grass

In central Russia, lawn grass seeds can be planted immediately after the snow melts (late April - early May) and until the very end of the confidently warm season (usually October). In a later period, it is not recommended to sow the lawn, since the plants will not have time to fully get stronger before wintering, and as a result, in the spring it will be necessary to oversow, or even re-sow the lawn.

The most favorable period for sowing lawn grass is the end of April - May and September - the beginning of October.

If fresh fertile soil is brought in, it is worth waiting 1-2 weeks before sowing. After spilling the soil, wait 3-4 hours, then sow the lawn.

If sowing lawn grass is carried out in the summer, it is worth waiting for rainy cloudy days.

Do not overdo it with watering. Before germination - watering every day, then no more than 1 time per week.

The first lawn mowing is done when the grass is about 15 cm high.

Before planting the lawn, a drainage system must be established, and, if provided, an electrical supply system and an underground irrigation system.
In order for the lawn to look perfect, it is necessary to level the soil. The slope can be 1-3% to facilitate surface water runoff. A large lawn area can be given a greater slope, but not more than 30%.

Soil preparation for lawn grass

Weed removal

Removing weeds will ensure friendly seedlings, improve the appearance of the lawn and make it easier to further care for it.

Weed control methods:

Freezing is the death of underground parts of weeds in winter. To do this, in the fall it is necessary to carry out deep digging of the soil.

Suffocation - a long-term method based on repeated cutting of weeds at a shallow depth (harrowing for 2-3 years), the effect is achieved by exhausting the rhizome.

Provocation - a couple of weeks before sowing, it is necessary to prepare the soil, and when a lot of weed sprouts appear, they are loosened on the surface, thereby destroying them.

Mulching - covering the soil, depriving weeds of light. For this purpose, ripened compost is well suited, and crushed bark under trees and shrubs.

New primer is the most effective, but laborious and more expensive method. Removing the old soil and laying out the new soil with a drainage system - the soil is removed to a depth of 30 cm and laid out in layers: crushed stone, sand and black earth, and a rolled lawn is laid on top or seeds of lawn grass mixture are sown.

Herbicides - Weeds must be treated when they are actively growing, but must not be mechanically damaged. Within 5-10 days, the herbicide spreads over the entire area of ​​the plant and after 20-30 days the plant dies entirely. Approximately 15 days after the action of the preparation, the land can be cultivated. Herbicides are best applied in the fall if lawn grass is planned to be planted in the spring.


Plots on which weeds have already been removed, it would be good to protect from those that have not yet been processed.

The surface of the soil under the lawn must be leveled - there should be no mounds or holes. As a result, water will accumulate in the pits, which will lead to wetting of the grass, and the bumps will make it difficult for the lawn mower to work.

Soil fertility

The thickness of the fertile layer for the proper development of lawn grass should be at least 10 - 15 cm.
The soil should be improved, depending on its characteristics.

The soil mixture and all its components should be mixed well and embedded in detail into the soil, loosened to a depth of about 40 cm, so that the lower layers do not subsequently move upward. When carrying out these works, it is necessary to remove from the ground all parts of plants that have previously been treated with chemicals, and their roots must also be carefully removed.

In order to make it convenient to care for the edges of the lawn, it is better to fix them. Borders are usually decorated with materials such as gravel, crushed stone or pebbles. You can also use a stone border or tile - this will also look advantageous in a decorative way, and will give you access to mow the edges of the lawn, which will make mowing much easier.


How to sow lawn grass with your own hands


How to care for lawn grass


During the period of growth of a young lawn, it needs to be provided with:

A lawn is considered mature and mature after 2-3 seasons after sowing.

Seasonal lawn care


How to sow lawn grass - planting a lawn, how to plant it in the country with your own hands

A beautiful, neatly trimmed lawn always favorably emphasizes the landscape solutions of the garden, allows you to focus on flowerbeds, flower beds, ornamental shrubs, coniferous and deciduous trees. Despite the fact that it is easy to sow a green lawn, you need to know the rules for preparing the site, how to sow lawn grass and care for it.

Varieties of lawns

Depending on the method of creation, lawns are divided into roll and seed lawns, according to the terms of existence - into annuals and perennials. The composition and purpose of the grass cover are divided into several types:

With the right choice of seed and following the rules for planting ornamental grass, after a couple of years, the turf becomes dense and thick. Therefore, it is worth breaking up the site and starting to sow lawn crops.

Meadow

The purpose of the meadow lawn is to decorate garden areas for walking, playing and relaxing. Usually they are planted not in the front, but in shady and sunny places in the background. The basis of the future lawn is the already existing herbage, to which cereal mixtures are carefully sown. To do this, the turf is treated accordingly. Sowing the lawn is carried out manually - a third of the bayonet spades dig the top of the soil, level and sow field mint, white clover, foxtail, alfalfa, fescue or timothy grass. You can plant small bulbous plants that give the lawn naturalness and brightness. To keep it looking neat, one mowing a month is enough. The first is carried out immediately after the flowering of the bulbous.

Gardening

This type of lawn is used for cottages, parks, recreation areas, areas near roads and highways. It must be shade-tolerant, drought-resistant, tolerant of mechanical stress. In addition to sowing ordinary grass, it is planted with forest and common bluegrass, perennial reygars, rootless wheatgrass and furrowed fescue. With the right selection of them, the lawn does not require special care, with the exception of regular removal of weeds and mowing at intervals of once a week.

Sports

Sports lawns are used in the arrangement of grounds for playing football, golf, at hippodromes. They are subject to the highest demands. The coating must withstand heavy loads during active movement on the grass. Only plants that are strong, quickly recovering from damage and have a powerful root system are sown. The most suitable for sowing:

Mowing the grass is carried out often and low. If necessary, aerate the ground to prevent waterlogging and deterioration of the quality of the lawn.

Decorative

This lawn cover is used to decorate any area. For sowing, soft and juicy herbs are used, which have a bright color and a beautiful appearance. It is not recommended to walk on such lawns, as they are easy to damage and disrupt the existing harmony. Plantings, especially flowering lawns, require careful care, despite the fact that outwardly they resemble a wild meadow. You can sow the area near the house, park, near paths, flower beds and the entrance. St. John's wort, daisies, cornflowers, bluebells and poppies are used as seed. The decorative lawn is mowed several times a season, moistened if necessary.

When is the best time to plant lawn grass?

Lawn grass can be sown in spring or autumn. Planting should begin as early as April, when the soil is moist and warm. The sun is not yet as active as in summer and cannot destroy the newly sprouted sprouts. They have time to take root well, get stronger by autumn and successfully endure wintering.

Among the advantages of spring sowing:

Planting in April has its drawbacks - return frosts are possible, which can destroy crops, and rapidly developing weeds are no less dangerous for them.

It is permissible to plant lawn grass in September. Before the onset of frost, the root system is already developed and can overwinter, there is enough moisture in autumn for germination and plant growth. In October, the lawn is planted only in regions with a mild climate without sudden changes in temperature.

Where can I plant?

It is easy to seed and grow a lawn, but without regular care it will look untidy. It is important to choose the right location. Well-lit areas with clay or sandy soil are most preferred. Wetlands are suitable for laying out a lawn only when carrying out full-fledged drainage work. You should not place a lawn next to flower beds, rose gardens, alpine slides, since lawn grass can easily develop a new territory and damage cultivated plants. So that after the lawn is sown, it does not spread, the territory is marked out and limited with the help of a curb tape.

Where can I buy lawn seeds?

Quality seed with high germination for a perfect lawn. You need to buy them in trusted specialized stores for gardeners. You should pay attention to the description and proportions of the components in the mixture, which are indicated on the product packaging. Most often, it has a name according to the functionality of the lawn - sports, decorative, meadow. If necessary, a mixture of seeds of different herbs is made independently immediately before sowing.

Lawn grass sowing methods

Lawn grass can be planted manually or with the help of special tools. In order to evenly distribute and plant the entire plot with seeds, it is divided into zones. Using a rake, grooves are drawn on the surface of the soil and planting material is distributed over them. The seeder is easier to work with. Seeds are divided into two parts - one is sown with lawn grass horizontally, the other vertically.

Lawn Seeding Technology Step by Step Guide

To evenly sow lawn grass and get a beautiful lawn, follow the scheme:

  1. Mark the boundaries of the site.
  2. Dig it up, removing weeds.
  3. Lay the drainage layer.
  4. Apply fertilizer to the soil.
  5. Planting seeds.
  6. Watered.

Preparing for planting lawn grass

Before planting lawn grass, preparations must be made. Tools needed:

From the place of the future lawn, you need to remove debris, if necessary, uproot shrubs and stumps.
Selecting a site

Before planting lawn grass, you need to study the light, drainage and soil composition of the site. It is difficult to find the ideal site, but any one can be improved. First, they are determined with the cardinal points and shading. The lawn is not afraid of northern winds, and heat and drought reduce the quality of lawn grass. It is best if the lawn is lit by the sun for most of the day, and fruit or deciduous trees do not grow at its very edge, but at some distance.

A shady place is of little use, because in such conditions the sowing grass in the country house stretches, turns pale and is affected by diseases. Closely spaced trees take moisture and nutrients from the soil, clog the lawn with foliage and dry branches.

It is better to sow in soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5, a humus content of about 3%, nitrogen - 10 mg, phosphorus - 20 mg, potassium - 25 mg per 100 g of soil.
Removing weeds

Before planting lawn grass, the earth must be carefully dug up to a depth of 20-25 cm, remove roots, weeds and stones. It is not necessary to leave wooden fragments in the ground, later they will rot, voids form, and then lawn irregularities. Earthen clods are broken with a rake or pitchfork.

For the final disposal of weeds, the prepared area is kept “fallow” - it is left unsown for a month so that unwanted plants appear during this time and can be easily removed. You can sow green manure - lupine, sweet clover, vetch.

Drainage

If you have to sow lawn grass in an area with stagnant water, you need to install a drain. On sites with a slope, an open drainage system is equipped:

  1. Dig trenches 0.5-1.5 m deep and up to 0.5 m wide, directing them to a gutter or reservoir.
  2. Cover the bottom with geotextile.
  3. Lay stones, gravel, broken bricks on a third of the ditch volume.
  4. Top with soil.
  5. Packed.
Creating a closed drainage system is more difficult. A network of pipes is laid on crushed stone bedding, connected into a single circuit and brought out to storage wells. Cover with soil from above, tamp it down and sow lawn grass.
Soil fertilization

Before sowing lawn grass, fertilizers are applied during the digging process. Nitrogen-containing mixtures are most suitable for this purpose. 7-10 days before sowing the lawn, they are applied at the rate of 50 g per 1 m2. Close up to a depth of 5-6 cm. In order for top dressing to be distributed evenly, fertilizer is mixed with sand in a ratio of 5: 1. After preparation, the site is compacted with rollers or feet.

How to scatter seeds?

Grass seeds are poured into a container and mixed thoroughly, as during storage they may become caked and lose their uniformity. To sow evenly, shallow furrows are made in the upper layer with a rake. The whole lawn is divided into four parts and each is sown separately, first along the horizontal grooves, then along the vertical ones. Seeds are distributed manually or with the help of small seeders. The average consumption rate is 40 g per 1 m2.

It is worth considering that it is necessary to plant seeds on the lawn with an overlap of 8-10 cm beyond the intended border, so that there are no bald spots along the edges. From above close up with a rake the area where they sowed.

Watering

Once the lawn grass has been sown, water the surface of the soil in a finely dispersed way so that the water does not wash out the seeds. After moistening, there should be no puddles and washouts. The earth must be wetted to a depth of at least 10 cm. In the future, watering is carried out once every 3-5 days, as the surface dries up, avoiding waterlogging. The mode is adjusted depending on the frequency of rainfall and air temperature. The first shoots appear after one to three weeks, they may be uneven. As soon as the lawn grass grows a little, you can water from a watering can with a fine spray or using a sprinkler. Do not allow a strong pressure of water, so as not to wash the newly formed roots of plants.

How to care for the grass on the lawn?

If you properly organize the care of the seeded lawn with your own hands, it will not lose its attractive appearance over time. Grown plants need to be watered so as to wet the soil 15-20 cm deep. The operation is carried out early in the morning, late evening watering can provoke fungal diseases.

Mowing is carried out at intervals depending on the purpose of the lawn, but at least once every three weeks. This can be done with a trimmer or lawn mower. Shearing not only achieves leveling of the grass cover, but also stimulates its growth. They mow in dry weather, passing in two directions, first across the lawn, and then along. Grass is raked and removed.

Twice a year, aeration of the soil is necessary so that air enters the roots through dense turf. For this purpose, the soil is pierced to a depth of 15 cm with mechanical aerators or conventional pitchforks.

Transplanting the lawn

If necessary, the grown lawn grass can be transferred to a new location instead of re-sowing. This is required in the case of redevelopment of the site or the construction of buildings on the site of the lawn. They act according to the scheme:

  1. Thoroughly shed the lawn.
  2. Dig a hole 10 cm deep in a new place.
  3. Pour sand on the bottom, add fertilizer.
  4. Watered.
  5. The old lawn is dug around the perimeter.
  6. Remove the sod in small sections and transfer to the prepared hole.
  7. Tightly laid, ruled so that it is higher than the usual position.
  8. Trample and water.

Everyone can grow a lawn

If you follow all the rules and recommendations, you can plant and grow a beautiful lawn with your own hands quite quickly.

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