How to Plant a New Lawn
Are you looking for the scoop on how to plant a new lawn? Are you wondering which method is the least expensive? Maybe you want to know how to plant a new lawn so that you will get instant results? Whatever your questions, we are here to answer them. We will guide you through the three different options you have so you can choose which growing method is right for you.
How to Plant a New Lawn – Seed Information
Of all three methods, sowing grass seed is the least expensive way you can get a new lawn started. The best time to sow seed is in late summer and into early fall. The only investment you will have in seeding is buying seed and either buying or renting a seed spreader. You will also need to buy top dressing to cover your seed bed. This can be straw or peat moss.
How to Plant a New Lawn – Sod Information
If you are looking for an instant result, sod is the way to go. It is much more expensive than seed. However, one of the advantages of installing sod is that it can be done at any time of year. The most important thing about sod is that is should be bought fresh and installed immediately.
How to Plant a New Lawn – Plugs and Sprigs Information
If you have a small lawn area and live in a warm region, you have the option of planting plugs and sprigs. Plugs and sprigs come in containers. You should measure your area to see how many containers of grass you will need. Plugs and sprigs are planted about every eight to twelve inches apart. With adequate watering, your plugs and sprigs will turn into a full lawn by eight weeks.
Soil Preparation
Many people get caught up in deciding how to plant a new lawn and forget about the soil that new grass will be growing in. The type, condition and texture of the soil are the most important elements for getting healthy grass. Whether you are seeding, laying sod or planting plugs and sprigs, you should do all you can to ensure that your soil is properly prepared.
If you really want to get your new lawn off to a great start, you should have your soil tested. If you do not want to find a lab to test your soil, simply purchase a soil-testing kit and do it yourself. Soil tests will tell you what amendments should be made to your soil prior to planting.
Whether you plant seed, install sod or plant sprigs and plugs, you should first have the growing area tilled. If you do not till, grass may have trouble establishing roots – especially if the soil in the growing area is very heavy. The soil should be tilled to at least six to eight inches. After you have loosened up the growing soil, add any amendments/fertilizers needed based on your soil test and till them into the soil. Next, rake the growing area free of debris and you can start sowing your seed, planting your sprigs or plugs or installing sod.
Now that you know the three basic options you have and how to plant a new lawn, you simply have to decide which growing method will work for you.
Fertilizers For Lawns: Food For Your Garden
The feeling of soft lush green grass under your feet as you take a morning stroll in your lawn is surely an endearing thought. To maintain a healthy body we need a balanced diet; in the same way, we need fertilizers to bring out the best in our lawns.
We need to provide our lawns with a nourishing diet to make them grow and glow. Fertilizing lawns has multiple benefits such as promoting growth of new leaves and plant roots, plus controlling and reducing lawn weeds, replenishing the soil with lost nutrients and, last but not the least, fertilizers help with pest control.
There are two different types of fertilizers for lawns available on the market:
Liquid-based fertilizers: these fertilizers are easy to use and have a faster effect as the soil rapidly absorbs them. All you need to do is to mix liquid fertilizers with water and spray it on plants. Liquid fertilizers should be used bi-weekly or once every 21 days for greater impact.
Granular fertilizers: these fertilizers are added to the garden using a spreader followed by watering. The advantage of using granular fertilizers is that you are well aware of the quantity of fertilizer being added to the lawn. They are available in two varieties: quick-release fertilizers which have an impact for a month and slow-release fertilizers which last for up to 3 months.
There are a few factors to be aware of before applying fertilizers to your lawn. Determine the type of lawn grass, find out the soil type and measure the size of your lawn. This information will help you in selecting the right fertilizers for your lawn. Also follow the instructions on the fertilizer pack on the quantity to be used and how frequently the fertilizer has to be applied before adding them to your soil.
Here are some important tips to be aware of before applying fertilizers to lawns:
Mow the lawn and moisten the soil as a dry lawn can get burnt when fertilizers are being applied.
Remember, application of fertilizer is not the same as weed control, so both products should not be used simultaneously or in combination.
You should be very cautious while handling fertilizers as some can be poisonous. Always wear gloves and also wear a dust mask while handling fertilizers for your own safety.
The right kind of fertilizers can help you get that lush green garden cover that looks so good.
