When to plant cool season grass

The Best Time to Plant Grass

When your sights are set on a thick, lush lawn, planting grass seed represents an investment of time, money, labor and hope. From seeding new lawns to repairing rough spots and renewing existing turf, proper timing separates sweet success from something less. Your best time for planting grass seed depends on the type of lawn grass you grow and where you live. Understanding your options and getting timing right helps you seize every opportunity for seeding success.

WHY TIMING MATTERS

Grass grows fastest and strongest when your planting season aligns with the seeds' natural periods of active growth. Just as with other kinds of plants in your landscape, lawn grasses vary in their growth cycles and regional climate preferences.

Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue, including Kentucky 31 tall fescue, grow most vigorously during the cool temperatures of late summer and early fall. These grasses flourish across cooler northern climates and into the challenging "transition zone" where cool and warm regions overlap.

Warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass, Bahiagrass, Zoysia grass and Centipede grass peak in growth during the warmer temperatures of late spring and early summer. These grasses thrive in southern and western regions and up into the transition zone's southern reaches.

Whether you grow cool- or warm-season grasses, timing your seeding to take advantage of your grass type's natural periods of peak growth helps seed germinate and establish quickly. Your seed gets off to the best possible start and gets on track for both short- and long-term success.

WHY FALL IS BEST FOR COOL-SEASON GRASSES

Several distinct advantages make fall the best time to plant cool-season grass seed. In early autumn, the soil is still warm from months of summer sun. This combination of warm soil, moderate daytime temperatures and cool evenings encourages fast germination and establishment of newly sown cool-season grass seed.

Cool-season grass seed germinates best when soil temperatures reach 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This roughly corresponds to daytime air temperatures in the 60°F to 75°F range. An inexpensive soil thermometer, available at garden stores and online retailers, can help eliminate the guesswork.

The farther north you live, the earlier cool fall temperatures and ideal planting times come. For example, Minnesotans in the Upper Midwest seed cool-season lawns from mid-August to mid-September.¹ For transition-zone lawn owners in central and northern Arkansas, September and October are the best time for seeding cool-season lawns.²

Fall seeding complements the natural growth cycles of cool-season grasses.

As a general rule, plant cool-season grass seed at least 45 days before the estimated date of your first fall frost, before soil and air temperatures drop to less favorable levels. Your grasses will enjoy a full fall season, plus a second cool growing season come spring. Your local county extension agent can help with advice on average frost dates and optimal timing for seeding lawns in your area.

Newly planted seed needs consistent soil moisture, and fall planting offers benefits on that front, too. Fall typically brings more precipitation, which lessens the chance that cool-season seeds may dry out, and reduces the need for extra watering on your part. Using premium drought-tolerant, water-conserving grass seed products, such as Pennington Smart Seed and Pennington One Step Complete, lowers the risk of problems even more.

The second best time to seed cool-season lawn grasses is in the spring, once soil and air temperatures warm back up to their optimal range. However, late-melting snows and early spring rains can keep soil cold and overly wet, giving early weeds an advantage. Grasses also have less time to settle in before higher temperatures inhibit germination and cool-season grass growth begins to slow.

WHY SPRING IS BEST FOR WARM-SEASON GRASSES

Warm-season grasses germinate best when soil temperatures are consistently in the 65°F to 70°F range. This generally corresponds to daytime air temperatures near 80°F or more. Planting in late spring and early summer gives warm-season grasses the advantage of warm soil and early seasonal rains, which help keep soil moisture available during germination and establishment.

Moderate spring weather helps spring-planted grass seed flourish.

As with cool-season grasses, best warm-season planting times vary by location. In California, mid-April to mid-May is prime time for seeding warm-season lawns.³ In central and southern Arkansas, lawn owners plan their warm-season grass seeding for late May through June.² It's tempting to get out and seed at the first hint of spring, but patience pays off. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and soil warms. Cold, wet soil is a recipe for poor germination, rotting seed and disease. Your county extension agent can help with expected frost dates and timely advice when unexpected weather conditions factor in.

As a general rule, warm-season grasses planted at least 90 days before the first fall frost have time to establish well before winter. These summer-loving grasses go dormant once temperatures drop near 55°F, so late-planted seedlings can't prepare for what's ahead. With proper timing, warm-season grass seed gets a natural boost from summer's warmth and a full season of active growth and development before cooling temperatures bring on winter dormancy.

One exception to the spring seeding rule for warm-season lawns is when overseeding with a cool-season grass, such as perennial ryegrass, for temporary winter color. Overseeding for green winter grass is always done in fall, once temperatures drop and warm-season lawns begin to go dormant and lose color.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM NEWLY PLANTED GRASS SEED

Proper timing allows all types of grass seedlings to root well and get established before natural stresses hit. What that looks like in your lawn can vary depending on your grass type, your growing region and the conditions in any given year.

Grass types and varieties vary in their natural germination speeds. For example, cool-season Kentucky bluegrass germination can take two to three times as long as tall fescue varieties. Similarly, warm-season Zoysia grass may take two to three times longer than Bermudagrass. In addition, many seed products include a mix of seed types that germinate at different speeds.

Whether you're repairing bare spots, overseeding an existing lawn or starting from scratch, you can generally expect grass seedlings to emerge within seven to 21 days when grown under proper conditions. It may take another three to four weeks of growth before grass is long enough to mow. For fall-planted seed, this can mean waiting until spring for your first mowing. Some grasses, such as Zoysia grass, may need several months of growth to fully establish.

Much of the initial growth of new grass seedlings happens underground, where you can't see it. New roots get grass firmly established, prepared for the seasons ahead and positioned for strong, rapid growth when their peak season arrives. With proper timing, new grass seedlings compete well for light, water and nutrients and fight off lawn diseases and pests, including lawn weeds.

Time your planting so that new seedlings become established before stressful seasons.

HOW TO MAXIMIZE THE TIMING ADVANTAGE

Even when you plant your grass seed at the best possible time, your lawn still needs help to thrive. Whether this is your first lawn or you're the neighborhood expert, take some advice from turf professionals and get to know your grasses and your soil before you start seeding. Follow through on best practices for preparing and planting and don't neglect traditional tasks, such as fall lawn care, that help keep your grass and soil healthy, well-nourished and ready to support new growth.

Do your research to understand what's in a bag of grass seed and the company behind the seed. Pennington is committed to producing the finest grass seed products possible and providing you with educational resources to help your seed project succeed. By timing your lawn tasks properly, you can maximize your advantage and seed your way to the lawn of your dreams.

Pennington, Smart Seed and One Step Complete are trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.

Sources:

1. Mugaas, R. and Pedersen, B., "Seeding and Sodding Home Lawns," University of Minnesota Extension.

2. Patton, A. and Boyd, J., "Seeding a Lawn in Arkansas," University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

3. UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, "Planting Times and Rates for Grasses That Can Be Established From Seed," University of California.

When To Plant Cool Season Grass

Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass and fescues adore fall and spring weather. Their growth cycle launches into overdrive during cooler months and slows down again when summer temperatures hit.

Knowing when to plant cool-season grass has a huge impact on germination and lawn health. In turn, healthy grass is more resistant to pests and other issues.

What Are the Best Months To Plant Cool Season Grass?

There are two main growing seasons for cool-season grasses: fall and spring. Planting in one or both of these time frames gives new grass enough time to germinate and become established before the intense weather extremes of summer and winter.

Fall: The ideal time to seed grass in northern climates is in the fall. That’s because fall is the perfect combination of everything new grass loves. For example, the ground is still warm but not too hot, the air temperature is just right for growth, and there’s an abundance of rain and moisture in the soil. Late August and early September are popular times for seeding or overseeding.
Spring: If you missed your chance to seed in the fall, spring is the next-best choice. It offers a short window of cool weather for seed growth before hot summer months appear. Spring also provides an opportunity to touch up any bare spots from areas where the grass died over the winter, such as from a parked snowblower or snowmobile.

In Northern Michigan, for example, planting is best in late August. A helpful rule of thumb for planting and overseeding is to get new seed in the ground at least 45 days before the first frost.

What Other Lawn Care Tasks Should You Mark on Your Calendar?

Deciding when to plant cool-season grass is important, but it’s only the first step on your road to an immaculate lawn. For gorgeous and healthy grass around your house, it’s helpful to mark yard essentials on your calendar. Here are a few vital tasks for taking great care of your lawn:

Soil testing: Around February, as the soil starts to warm up a bit, it’s a good idea to test the soil to see if your yard, trees, shrubs or garden are missing important nutrients.
Correcting soil issues: If the soil tests revealed any pH or nutrient problems, March is a good month to make corrections. Lime or sulfur can adjust pH issues, and specific fertilizers are helpful for adding nutrients.
Fertilizing: For a lustrous lawn, you can’t beat the effects of proper fertilizing. Late April or early May are great spring months for fertilizing. In the fall, add nutrients in late August or early September.
Aeration: This technique helps plants to breathe and lets grass seeds penetrate deeper into the ground. August is the best time to aerate the soil, right before planting new seeds.
Raking: Dead leaves and snow can smother growing grass, so don’t forget to take the time to rake. Around October, get rid of fallen leaves and turn them into mulch. Exposing grass to fresh air in the spring is also important to protect against lawn problems.

Why Contact Lawn Care Professionals for Help With Seeding?

When you’re not feeling well, a doctor can help you discover what’s going wrong and what to do to solve the problem. The same thing is true for a healthy lawn. Our lawn care experts at Lush Lawn take amazing care of your grass, from planting and fertilizing to winter preparation and other regular care tasks.

We know everything about lawns and the local climate, so we can ensure that your lawn stays healthy and vibrant all year long. Contact us right away to schedule an appointment.

When to sow lawn grass - planting dates, at what temperature grasses are planted, until what month can be sown

A lush, attractive lawn does not grow on its own. This is the result of competent and painstaking work carried out by the summer resident. Lawn grass needs special growing conditions. If you sow the lawn at the wrong time or prepare the soil incorrectly, the grass will quickly die before it has time to grow. Therefore, we will talk about when and how to accurately sow lawn grass in our article.

Grass selection for planting

Two factors influence the choice of the type of lawn vegetation that you will sow on your plot:

Sowing time. The selected growing period should be correlated with the growth rate of the planted grass, as well as its adaptability to a particular type of soil.
Lawn assignment. It can serve as a decoration of the site, and can become its functional part. Decorative lawns are not meant to be walked on. Therefore, for these types of lawns, you can take any lawn grass with the addition of meadow flowers. And for a functional sports lawn, it is better to purchase a grass mixture with perennial ryegrass in the composition.

Best time of year to sow lawn grass

The best time of year to sow lawn grass seeds is autumn. Autumn sowing allows you to achieve maximum indicators of the quality of the green cover. Autumn is good because:

Painstaking site preparation is not needed to grow a lawn;
No weeds this time of year;
Comfortable microclimate;
Optimum soil moisture level.

The only thing is that the onset of early frosts can negate all the benefits of autumn sowing.

When can you sow lawn grass in your country house?

The correct time for sowing lawn grasses depends on the current season and the weather. You can sow lawn seeds in one of three seasons - spring, summer or autumn. Each season has its own characteristics of cultivation, which we will consider further.

Spring

If you plan to plant lawn grass in the spring, it is best to do so in April or May. March immediately disappears, because in this month the air and soil have not yet had time to warm up properly. In April, the soil is already sufficiently moist and has the right temperature for trouble-free seed germination. During the days of May, additional moisture will be required, since temperature fluctuations often occur in the last month of spring, and rains are rare.

Summer

It is more risky to sow vegetation on the plot in summer than in autumn. Constant heat, low moisture levels and insufficient rainfall lead to dry soil. This means that hydration compensation in summer is insufficient.

All this does not stimulate the growth of the root system of plants, but, on the contrary, prevents it. Therefore, when planting lawn grass in June, you will have to spray the young shoots that the seed gave twice a day twice a day. Not all summer residents are comfortable with such a care schedule.

In autumn

The safest months to sow the lawn are September and the first weeks of October. In autumn, the air temperature is more optimal than in summer or spring. In addition, the soil does not dry out in autumn.

The main thing is not to sow the lawn at the end of autumn, otherwise the lawn will not have time to get stronger before the onset of frost and will die.

At what temperature is lawn grass sown?

It is better to sow lawn grass at an air temperature in the range of +7 to +10 degrees Celsius. This is the best temperature range for successful lawn growth. Of course, in the summer this temperature does not happen. Therefore, you need to choose the least hot day.

When to sow lawn grass in the Moscow region

In the Moscow region, you can also plant lawn in one of three seasons - spring, summer and autumn. In the spring, when active snowmelt begins, the earth is saturated with moisture, which is why the planted seed quickly gives entrances. In the Moscow region, spring planting of vegetation should be carried out when the snow has completely melted and the earth has warmed up sufficiently, i.e. from the end of April to the beginning of May.

If you sow a lawn in the suburbs in the summer, you need to pick up a cool day. Keep track of the weather forecast so you don't miss it. Sowing a plot at the peak of the heat is not a good idea. In the Moscow region, grass is planted in the first month of summer - in June, since, from July to mid-August, a peak of high temperatures is observed in the region.

The best time to plant lawn grass in autumn in the suburbs is the last days of August and the first weeks of September. If you have time to sow the lawn in time, by spring a lush formed lawn will already show off on the site.

Sometimes lawns in the suburbs are planted before winter. They do this shortly before the onset of the first cold weather, i.e. In November. Grass is sown in the soil, sprinkled and left like that until the arrival of spring. During wintering, the seeds undergo natural stratification, and when warm weather sets in, they immediately germinate.

When to sow lawn grass in Krasnodar?

In Krasnodar, it is better to sow the lawn at the end of September or at the beginning of October. If you do this in the spring, then in the summer the lawn will need enhanced watering. Some summer residents note that they planted a lawn at the end of March, but it did not have time to get stronger before the heat, and dry crusts were already forming on the soil.

It is not recommended to sow a lawn in Krasnodar in summer, because very hot summer is typical for the whole region.

Preparing the field before sowing

The dacha is being prepared for sowing the lawn in autumn, if the lawn is planned to be planted in the spring. And if planting is scheduled for autumn, then the soil is prepared in the spring. With pre-prepared land, it will be twice as easy to work. In addition, lawn grass is quicker and easier to adapt to growing conditions. So, preparing the land on the site before planting seeds consists of the following activities:

Cleaning the area from weeds. If you leave the weeds for the winter, they will only get stronger. And then it will be much more difficult to remove them, because. their root system has grown over the winter. And unharvested weeds will continue to germinate between the grains of lawn grass.
Digging the earth. Before the onset of the first frost, you need to dig up the soil, at the same time mixing it with fertilizers (it is possible with organic ones).
The following procedure depends on the type of soil in the area. If it is loamy, it is loosened and mixed with compost. If it is very acidic, lime is added. If alkaline - add peat for acidification. It is important to bring the acidity level to a normal level - 5.5-6.5. If the soil is sandy, organic matter and a moist, drained substrate are added to it.
Before directly sowing the lawn, the earth must be dug up again, loosened and removed (if found) the remains of weeds and debris. Then the earth is leveled and rolled to strengthen.

How to sow lawn grasses

The vegetation on the site can be sown in two ways - manually or using a seeder. Each method has its own advantages.

Manual

Manual sowing is a simple method that does not require special skills from the gardener. To do this, you need to take a handful of seeds in your hand, and then scatter them "crosswise", i.e. one part - in one direction, the other part - in the opposite direction, perpendicular.

The advantage of the manual method is the ability to sow seeds in hard-to-reach places - for example, near curbs, along fences.

With the seed drill

The seed drill is a mechanical device that ensures uniform distribution of lawn seeds on the ground. The disadvantage is the inability to sow hard-to-reach places. In any case, they will have to be sown manually. When using a seeder, the seeds are mixed with sand.

Seeding rules

Lawn grass should be planted in compliance with simple rules:

The first step is to measure the crop area. Then it is divided into squares;
Seeds are evenly divided according to the number of squares obtained;
Then the seeds intended for each square are divided in half;
The first half should be sown lengthwise. The second must be planted across the already sown grains.

Growing tips

There are a few growing tips to keep in mind:

If the site has clay or sandy soil, vegetation will grow slowly;
If weeds and debris are not removed from the site before sowing, the decorative effect of the future lawn will be disturbed;
Properly prepared soil is more than 50% success.

How to care for your lawn

Watering

If the lawn has just grown, water it manually. It is too early to install automatic irrigation systems. Hand watering will help the vegetation to take root better.

Watering is carried out in the morning so that moisture penetrates as deep as possible into the soil. At noon, watering is unacceptable, because the lawn will not receive enough moisture - it will simply evaporate.

Top dressing

Without timely and quality top dressing, the health and splendor of the lawn can be forgotten. If you do not provide nutrition to the lawn, it will not even be able to recover after mowing. Therefore, it is necessary to feed lawn grass with complex fertilizers, which contain potassium and phosphorus. Ammonium nitrate is often used to replenish nitrogen deficiency.

Phosphorus contributes to the growth and strengthening of the roots, and potassium - to accelerate the growth of blades of grass. In addition, fertilizers increase the resistance of vegetation to cold weather, diseases, and drought.

Aeration

Aeration is the breaking of the soil. This procedure is necessary to stabilize the air exchange. Aeration is carried out twice per season. The tools that are used for this are either ordinary pitchforks or boots with spiked soles.

Improved air circulation promotes faster grass growth, root growth, stronger turf, and more turf flexibility.

Sowing lawn grass is not just about putting the seed in the soil. This is a whole complex of garden work on the preparation and cultivation of the soil. If you follow the recommendations and do not ignore even small nuances, a lush lawn will appear on your site. It will become your pride and will decorate your summer cottage for decades.

When to sow lawn grass in spring

Lawn grass can transform literally every piece of land. Greenery gives the space freshness, health and beauty. An equally important question is at what time of the year seeds should be sown so that they sprout successfully. Many summer residents prefer to sow the plot in the spring. Why it is profitable to sow lawn grass in spring and how to do it right - we'll talk in today's article.

Advantages and disadvantages of spring planting

There are many reasons why it is better to sow lawn grass in spring. The advantages of spring sowing are:

Rapid growth of lawn grass as a result of good soil heating. In the spring, the sun's rays are already beginning to warm. In addition, the rapid emergence of seedlings is due to moist soil. The earth is saturated with melt waters;
Natural irrigation due to occasional rainfall;
Timely strengthening of the root system of the lawn. Roots will form and grow even before the first cold comes;
Ease of redevelopment, ease of overseeding lawn grass;
Large supply of nutrients in the soil.

If sown in the spring, then, unlike winter sowing, there is no need to fear the death of young seedlings due to sudden changes in temperature. The risk of freezing lawn grass is significantly reduced. Also, if we compare the spring planting with the summer planting, the first is again in the "win". After all, you do not have to worry about the onset of dry and hot days. However, it is possible to sow a lawn in the summer in areas with a harsh cold climate.

If we list the disadvantages of the decision to sow grass in the spring, we can highlight the following points:

Probability of return frosts;
Abundance of weeds. In the spring, everything comes to life, including weeds. Therefore, it is preferable to sow grass that displaces weeds.

When to sow lawn grass in the spring

As we have already figured out, it is permissible to sow lawn seeds in the spring. The ideal time for planting are two periods - the end of April and the whole of May. At this time, there is still no sizzling sunlight, so you can sow without a doubt.

It is also permissible to sow lawn grass at a soil temperature of 10 degrees Celsius and at an air temperature of 15 degrees and above. It is important to sow at a stable temperature.

How to plant a lawn step by step in spring with seeds

Sowing a lawn in spring is not an easy task, because it requires a lot of physical strength and a lot of free time. In addition, sowing will require certain investments. So, let's figure out how to properly plant lawn grass in the spring with our own hands with a step-by-step analysis of each action. Following the instructions and advice of experienced gardeners, you can sow and grow an enviable lawn.

Selection of seeds for sowing

Before sowing, it is necessary to take into account the type of soil (eg sandy, loamy, swampy, etc.) in the garden plot, as well as analyze the characteristic climatic conditions, the intended purpose of the lawn grass.

Usually spring grass mixtures are sown with the following types of vegetation in the composition:

Meadow bluegrass. This plant is very popular among summer residents: it is sown throughout the country. They especially like to sow bluegrass in the northern regions. The fact is that this lawn grass is unpretentious and literally invulnerable to sharp fluctuations in temperature. The peak of bluegrass growth occurs in the third and fourth years after sowing;
Red fescue. This grass is able to grow quickly and fill the entire sowing area. For such qualities, fescue fell in love with landscape designers. This plant perfectly tolerates lack of water, shading and cool weather.
Shooting bent grass. This plant has a unique ability - it grows with shoots. At the same time, she has a very powerful root system. The maximum height of the herbage reaches fifteen centimeters. With proper care, the color of the leaves will be dark green. The shoot-bearing plant loves sunlight and abundant watering. At the same time, the bent lawn is not afraid of trampling.
Perennial ryegrass. Another name for a lawn plant is chaff. This herb survives well under different conditions, is not afraid of negative external factors. In general, the care of ryegrass is quite simple.

All of the plants listed are ideal for spring sowing.

Choosing a place to grow your lawn

Sow lawn grass in the right place. Otherwise, the future lawn will not live up to expectations or, even worse, will not rise at all. The following requirements are imposed on the place where the lawn will be sown:

Complete absence of bumps, pits, irregularities that are difficult to correct. In future work, such a relief landscape will become a serious problem for the growth of lawn grass. It is also difficult to sow it;
Smooth surface. The maximum is a gentle slope. Ideally, if you sow vegetation will be in a horizontal area. If the site has too strong a slope, you will have to find a non-standard way out of this situation. You cannot sow on slopes.

Also, when choosing a place where you plan to sow lawn grass, you should draw up a plan for it. It indicates any structures, curbs, fences or pipes. To eliminate problems with mowing the lawn, you should sow the seed so that there is a small distance between the fence and the vegetation itself.

Necessary tools

To sow lawn grass in the spring at the dacha is necessary with the help of a whole arsenal of garden attributes:

Garden shovel;
Automated Sod Remover;
Seeder for planting lawn grass seeds;
Fan rake;
Country skating rink;
Spray nozzle for garden hose. An ordinary watering can will be ineffective;
Fertilizers for complex feeding of lawn grass.

Land preparation

Land preparation for the subsequent sowing of lawn grass takes several steps:

The entire area where it is planned to sow lawn grass is cleared of debris, excess vegetation, dry fallen leaves;
All stumps located on the site should be uprooted. The holes remaining after this are covered with earth;
Then the sod layer is removed. This is a layer up to ten centimeters thick;
Soil is poured in place of the removed sod layer, and complex fertilizers are applied there. The choice of fertilizer depends on the type of land;
If required, the next step is to install a lawn grass drainage system;
The area is then rammed.

Planting

Thoroughly mix the grass mixture before sowing the prepared seed, lawn grass. The required seed consumption per square meter is indicated by the manufacturer of the mixture on the package. You need to sow the grass mixture according to the following algorithm:

With the help of a garden fan rake, small grooves of shallow depth are made. They should fit snugly against each other. Otherwise, bald islands will appear on the future lawn;
Semen is distributed along these grooves. You can sow them with a seeder;
Then again pass over the sown area with a fan rake;
The crop area is then worked with a garden roller. It is possible to sow lawn grass in the spring without a roller. It is permissible to use another similar tool that rams the earth;
The sown seeds are then watered and covered.

It is worth paying special attention to the weather conditions on the day of planting. You can sow the lawn only on a calm, dry and relatively warm day. These requirements are also relevant for rolled lawns. The main thing is that the soil is carefully prepared for this. In a word, sowing lawns in the spring is not an easy undertaking.

Drainage for the lawn - when is it necessary? Moisture stagnation also occurs in areas where there is a sufficiently high occurrence of groundwater. The accumulation of water adversely affects the condition of any lawn vegetation. She begins to rot and subsequently dies.

Drainage installation begins with a detailed design. These works are carried out by landscape specialists, but you can do them yourself. So, in small areas, the drainage system can be equipped with your own hands. When designing drainage, three parameters must be taken into account:

The slope angle of the land;
Location of drainage wells;
Type of drainage system to be installed.

There are three types of drainage systems that are equipped in suburban areas with lawn grass:

Open drain. In another way, this type is called a drainage ditch.
Closed drain. It involves backfilling pipes with gravel or broken bricks.
Backfill drainage. Assumes only surface backfilling of the drainage system.

The key point that is taken into account when installing drainage is the mechanism for diverting water from the site. As a rule, special pipes are used for this. Craftsmen come up with other ways to collect water.

Arrangement of open drainage for sowing lawn grass is carried out according to the following scheme:

First, a net of many grooves is dug. Their width should be no more than half a meter, and the depth - from one and a half to one meter. Depth depends on how high the groundwater is. There should be four or five meters between the grooves.
The slope of the trenches made must be 30 degrees;
Drainage layers are then laid on the bottom of the excavated trenches;
Fine gravel and broken bricks are poured from above. Their layer should occupy approximately one third of the depth of the grooves;
Then, the topmost layer, fertile soil is laid. All layers are compacted.

Arrangement of closed drainage is also carried out according to a certain algorithm. The work is somewhat more difficult and expensive. You will have to purchase geotextiles and pipes directly. Closed drainage systems are created on marshy and excessively wet soils. At first, the arrangement algorithm is similar to the creation of an open drainage system. However, pipes are laid under the broken brick. Previously, these pipes are isolated with geotextiles.

Pipes for closed drainage can be from 50 to 200 mm in diameter. they are laid in such a way that a slight slope is formed towards the drainage well.

Pipe laying is carried out with a gap of 3-5 millimeters. This solution will prevent moisture from getting into them.

How long does it take to sprout

The lawn after sowing in the spring will sprout within the first ten days. On the tenth day after planting, the first green shoots will appear. For comparison, if you sow a lawn in the summer, it will rise no earlier than on the twelfth day. And this is provided that the drying of the soil is not allowed. And there is to sow seeds in the fall, they will sprout only two weeks after planting. There are varieties of lawn plants that can grow almost 7-8 centimeters in such a period. For example, the notorious red fescue.

Lawn care after planting

It is not enough just to sow and grow a lawn grass seed: like any living vegetation, it needs constant care and attention. Standard and fundamental activities are top dressing, watering and a number of garden procedures.

Until the mass young shoots of lawn grass appear, it is necessary to water the soil every two to three days. Irrigation depth - about six centimeters. For thorough watering of the spring lawn, a watering can with a spray nozzle, as well as special rain installations, are used. It is very important that the thickness of the water jets be small. Otherwise, all the seeds planted in the ground will be washed out from there. Therefore, it is preferable to use automated irrigation systems. They accurately mimic natural precipitation.

One month after the emergence of young seedlings, the soil is weeded. Around this age, the lawn is getting stronger. Here you can walk on it. Weeding is carried out using a special tool and a piece of plywood. The latter is needed in order to put on the surface of a young lawn. This contributes to an even distribution of pressure and prevents pitting.

The first cutting of spring lawn grass is carried out when the height of the herbage has already reached at least 8 centimeters. The vegetation is cut off by about one and a half to two centimeters, i.e. only the tops are removed. Before mowing lawn grass, the sharpness of the tool taken (lawn mower, trimmer, scissors) is checked without fail. Otherwise, the herbage will be severely damaged during mowing. The cutting technology is simple: the direction of movement must alternately change. First cut diagonally, then perpendicularly. Subsequent haircuts can be more "deep": it is allowed to leave 4-8 centimeters in height.