Soil quality and preparation are very important stages in planting grass seed for a whole new lawn. Begin by taking off the existing vegetation. Use a non-selective herbicide like gylphosphate (Round-Up) to get rid of the weeds that can be growing. The weeds must not be moisture stressed when they are sprayed because contrary to popular belief, a green, healthy, growing weed will die much faster after a herbicide application compared to a dry and stressed weed. Let herbicide dry on the weeds' leaves for at least twelve hours.
After existing vegetation is removed, dig within the soil and acquire a feel for the texture of your soil and it's particles. Is it mostly sandy, loamy, or very fine, as well as clay like? Sandy soils drain quickly and have good root growth. Clay soils typically drain poorly and turn compacted. Soils which happen to have 50-60% sand and smaller particles are best for a lawn. It's less of a challenge to incorporate fine soils to coarse sandy soils rather than add huge amounts of sand to dense clay soils.
Most soils are definitely more easily modified by adding organic matter just like plant parts, shredded bark, horse or cattle manure. To properly add organic matter, perform the following:
1. Wet soil and let drain for 2 days. 2. Roto-till soil as deep as you can. 3. Wet soil again and let drain for 2 days. 4. Roto-till again. 5. Add organic matter and grass fertilizer on top of tilled soil. 6. Roto-till again as deep as you possibly can.
During this process make sure to continuously pull any new weeds that emerge and grab any big rocks or debris which come up during the preparation process.
You then want to level the soil as best as you can. The new soil should settle naturally, or you can quicken the process with the addition of more water. Then rake the soil so it has small groves within it. Now you are ready to plant grass seed, but there are many different grass seed types and make sure you choose the one that fits your particular region. Apply 1/2 of grass seed in one direction to the soil by using a spreader. Then place the other 1/2 of the seed in the other direction. Lightly rake the seed in and roll the soil lightly with a roller.
If sod is installed, repeat the same steps previously mentioned and make certain the soil is firm enough that the grass sod won't sink in after it is walked on. After sod is installed, roll it using a roller in two directions and water it twice a day until it roots. When grass sod can no longer be grabbed by grasping it using your hand, it truly is rooted.
After existing vegetation is removed, dig within the soil and acquire a feel for the texture of your soil and it's particles. Is it mostly sandy, loamy, or very fine, as well as clay like? Sandy soils drain quickly and have good root growth. Clay soils typically drain poorly and turn compacted. Soils which happen to have 50-60% sand and smaller particles are best for a lawn. It's less of a challenge to incorporate fine soils to coarse sandy soils rather than add huge amounts of sand to dense clay soils.
Most soils are definitely more easily modified by adding organic matter just like plant parts, shredded bark, horse or cattle manure. To properly add organic matter, perform the following:
1. Wet soil and let drain for 2 days. 2. Roto-till soil as deep as you can. 3. Wet soil again and let drain for 2 days. 4. Roto-till again. 5. Add organic matter and grass fertilizer on top of tilled soil. 6. Roto-till again as deep as you possibly can.
During this process make sure to continuously pull any new weeds that emerge and grab any big rocks or debris which come up during the preparation process.
You then want to level the soil as best as you can. The new soil should settle naturally, or you can quicken the process with the addition of more water. Then rake the soil so it has small groves within it. Now you are ready to plant grass seed, but there are many different grass seed types and make sure you choose the one that fits your particular region. Apply 1/2 of grass seed in one direction to the soil by using a spreader. Then place the other 1/2 of the seed in the other direction. Lightly rake the seed in and roll the soil lightly with a roller.
If sod is installed, repeat the same steps previously mentioned and make certain the soil is firm enough that the grass sod won't sink in after it is walked on. After sod is installed, roll it using a roller in two directions and water it twice a day until it roots. When grass sod can no longer be grabbed by grasping it using your hand, it truly is rooted.
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