Which Type Of Lawn Is Best
There are a few common options for achieving a lush, green lawn. Sod can be rolled out for an immediate green look, seeding or hydroseeding are inexpensive options which allow you to choose the exact varieties of grass in your lawn, and artificial turf is a maintenance-free alternative that is especially appealing in desert areas.
How Can I Make Grass Seed Germinate Faster
To make grass seed germinate faster:
- Choose the best grass seed for the location
- Prepare the area by raking the soil to loosen it, removing stones and weeds
- Apply a pre-seeding fertilizer and water the soil
- Apply seeds evenly over the area, press them down and keep the soil moist
- Apply a fertilizer after sowing if you haven’t beforehand and then feed the emerging grass about every month.
Handling Bugs In Your New Grass
Bugs in a new lawn are very common, but youll want to protect your new grass with an insect control product. Most products labeled for insect control can be applied any time on newly planted grass. Even so, remember to always read and follow the label directions before applying an insect control product.
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When Should I Fertilize My Lawn After Seeding
Now that your grass has been seeded and you have your new regular fertilizer, how soon should you use it? As much as you might want to encourage growth and hurry the process along as quickly as possible, its best to wait before re-fertilizing your new grass.
How long? At least four weeks, and possibly as many as eight.
If you give in and re-fertilize too early, the nutrients will not be absorbed by the roots, and you can have runoff that, as we already mentioned, can make its way into the water supply or harm water-dwelling creatures. Moreover, over-fertilizing can actually leach more nutrients from the soil, leaving a deficiency of nutrients when your new turf is finally ready to be replenished.
Save yourself frustration and possible contamination: do not re-fertilize early. After this, you can adhere to the following regular annual fertilization schedule:
Remove Existing Plant Life
New sod will not grow on existing grass or other plant life, so the first step is to remove or kill off the existing grass. There are various ways to do this, including simply cutting it into pieces and removing it by hand. Or, you can use a manual or power sod cutter to slice off sections of the old lawn down to the roots.
An easier, though more time-consuming way, is to use a broadspectrum spray herbicide to kill off all vegetation over the area where the sod will be laid. But it may take multiple applications spaced over two to four weeks to fully kill off grass and weeds. But once killed, this dead plant material can simply be churned into the soil with a tiller.
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Can You Put New Sod Over Old Grass
Do not lay new sod over old grass or weed growth. Even if the existing lawn is full of dead grass, sod will not properly root. The layer of grass beneath your sod will form a barrier against sod roots and turn into a slimy mess that doesnt decompose. Meanwhile, the sod you laid on top of the existing lawn will wither and dry out, as it wont be able to send roots into the soil to pull in water and nutrients.
- Never lay sod on top of existing grass or weeds.
- Even if the lawn is dead, it must be removed before you can lay sod.
- Sod on top of old grass wont root. It will struggle and likely die.
- Existing grass and weeds may grow up through seams in your new sod, invading your new lawn.
If you lay sod on top of the ground that has not been properly prepared, its very common for weeds to thrust up through your new sod. Few things are as frustrating as battling a weed invasion while trying to get sod to grow. Instead, follow our hassle-free 8-step plan for a new sod lawn.
Where To Buy Sod
Then its time to buy your sod. Depending on where you live, you can order it from a garden center or directly from a sod farm. It will generally be a mix of two or three turf grasses, chosen for optimal color, texture, and heartiness . Ideally, sod should be delivered within 24 hours of being cut and be laid the same day. Measure your yard carefully so you can order the right amount, with some overage to account for cutting around curves.
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Do I Have To Rake In Grass Seed
Raking is necessary because the seeds need to come in contact with the soil to germinate properly. … You will still see some seeds poking out after raking but you will not see the seeds erode from the soil after watering. This is important because a newly seeded lawn will need to be watered at least every other day.
Can You Walk On Grass Seed
Avoid walking on a newly seeded lawn and any new grass that is under 3 inches tall. … Wait until the new grass is over 3 inches tall before mowing, to prevent uprooting or killing young grass. Once the grass has been mowed at least 3 times, it is established enough to be walked on regularly without causing harm.
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Starting A New Lawn In Sandy Soil
Sandy soil has its benefits, like excellent drainage and air circulation, but it requires a few extra steps to grow grass from seed. If you live near a beach, follow these tips for growing lush, green grass in sandy soil:
- Amend the soil by mixing 5 cm of organic material into the top 15 cm of soil.
- Choose cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues, which dont mind a little extra sand.
- Add a loose layer of straw after seeding to prevent the seeds from washing away.
- While the new grass is in its early stages, be vigilant about watering, which may be several times a day.
- Once the grass reaches 5 cm, you can dial watering back to twice a week.
- Apply fertilizer one month after seeding, then do it again the following month.
- You can mow the grass once it reaches 7 8 cm, but dont rake the clippings. Instead, let them decompose where they are so the nutrients will go back into the ground.
Preparing Grass Plugs For Planting
Before planting the plugs make sure they are well watered but not soggy. Make a few shallow slices into the sides and bottom of the plugs root ball to encourage lateral root growth into the surrounding soil. To speed the transplantation process, just before planting, plugs should be removed from the tray, have their roots sliced, and placed in a box or flat in the shade to await transplanting.
For Best Results Use Soil Moist:These non-toxic granules store over 200x their weight in water, steadily releasing water as your grass plugs need it for 3-5 years. It will reduce watering and transplant shock. This must be used at root level, not as a top-dressing. For best results, use as a root dip when planting.
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Can You Lay Sod Over Existing Grass
No. This might seem like a pretty sweet shortcut, but it could kill your new sod if the grass cant make contact with dirt. Your new sod needs to establish its roots in the soil, to take advantage of the water and nutrients there. The faster it takes root, the healthier it will be. Leaving a layer of grass underneath your new sod prevents it from taking root and increases the chance that the new lawn will die from lack of nutrients and moisture. Installing sod over existing grass also interferes with proper grade. You want the soil base level with other surfaces like sidewalks and driveways not higher than them.Bottom line: removing your old lawn before laying new sod is crucial for a healthy root system.
Check The Soil Ph Level In A Month
After one month, check the soil pH level to see whether it requires more lime. If you find that your soil is still very acidic, you may need to apply lime more than once. Bear in mind that lime is a slow-acting mineral, so it will take months before it works its way into the soil, and change the pH level. In some cases it could take up to six months to see a significant reading, so patience is key.
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How Often To Water Grass Seed After Planting
Water newly planted grass seed daily if the weather is over 80 degrees F. Every other day is a good watering schedule if temperatures are cooler. Prior to germination, wet the top inch or so of soil. But, once the grass seed germinates and begins to grow, reduce the frequency of irrigation but water more deeply. Once your new grass is about two inches tall, reduce your watering schedule to once or twice a week, but water until the ground is wet down to a depth of about three inches.
Once grass is fully established, stop irrigation all together, unless theres a prolonged period of drought. When it comes to watering established lawns, its always better to water less frequently but very deeply. Always water lawn in the morning, if possible, to reduce the chance of fungal disease issues.
Can I Lay Sod Next To Existing Grass
Dont need a whole new sod lawn, but have a few dead or damaged areas to patch?You can lay sod next to existing grass to replace those struggling spots. But it takes some careful preparation: 1. Measure the area that needs replacing.2. Buy about a third more sod than that amount. Be sure its the same variety of grass. 3. Remove the dead grass. You dont want an oddly shaped patch, so cut around the dead area in a neat square. The patch should extend two inches or so beyond the edges of the bare spot into the healthy grass area.4. Loosen up the soil in your patch area. You want the soil nice and loose so that the roots in your sod patch can quickly grow down into the soil. 5. Remove some soil if you need to, leaving enough space so your new sod will be level with your existing lawn. This is important: make sure the new sod sits flush with existing grass and there isnt an uneven “ledge.6. Cut the sod to fit the new area, making sure the edges fit very closely together. 7. Water well, and keep the sod moist for at least two weeks afterward. Sound like a hassle? Youre not wrong. Suddenly, that steak dinner and golf outing arent such a sure thing. Unless you make it easy on yourself and leave it to the pros.
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Should I Compact Topsoil Before Seeding
Its not necessary to compact the soil for good growth. Before you plant anything, make sure to water the soil a few times. The natural settling process is enough for most plants. If you have a lot of plants, you may want to consider using a potting soil mix.
This will allow you to plant more than one type of plant at a time. It will also help prevent root rot and other problems that can occur when you plant too many plants at once.
Why You Shouldnt Do It
When you lay new sod, its critical that the roots make direct contact with the soil so that a root system can form. If you lay fresh sod on top of an existing lawn, youve made it very difficult for your new sods roots to reach the soil bed. Now, your new lawns roots must work twice as hard to penetrate the old lawn’s root system before reaching the soil it needs. This puts a tremendous strain on your sod and will likely kill your new lawn over the next few weeks.
Once your new sod has died on top of your previous lawn, you’ll now have to remove two layers of sod to get any new grass to take root. At this point, youll notice that the underlying layer of sod, instead of decomposing, turned into a matted slimy mess instead of composted nutrients.
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Spotty grass is no problem for this simple patching method using compost and sod.
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How To Lay Sod
Laying sod is best done on a cloudy, cool day when the soil is not excessively hot or dry. If you have a perfectly rectangular yard, try to plan the layout so that the outside edges of the lawn all have full-width strips of sod. The reason is that the sod on the edges is the most likely to dry out. By starting on the edges, you ensure that the edges will at least have sod strips of the full width, making them less likely to dry out. When you get to the center, sod widths may have to be trimmed in order to fit in, but it’s better for these partial strips to be on the interior, where they are protected.
With yards that are irregular or have curved edges, start the installation on the most visible straight edge, such as where the lawn abuts a sidewalk or driveway.
Should You Put Topsoil Down Before Grass Seed
Do not put top soil over grass seed, but you can add a thin layer of organic matter to help the seed to grow. USDA not to put the top of the ground over the grass seed. If you have weeds growing in your yard, you need to remove them.
You can use a weed whacker to kill the weeds, or use an herbicide such as Roundup or 2,4-D. USDA recommends that you do not use herbicides on lawns that are less than two years old.
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Best Time To Water New Grass Seed
The best time to water grass seed is in the morning and evening. These are the coolest parts of the day, which allows water to absorb into the ground instead of evaporating. A water timer can simplify the process of when to water grass seeds, so you can easily and efficiently water your newly seeded lawn with no hassle at all.
How to water new grass seed depends on the area youve seeded. Large areas can benefit from the use of a quality rectangular sprinkler. Use a small spot sprinkler for smaller seeded areas.
How To Prepare Lawn For Seeding
Good preparation is the most important aspect of learning how to plant grass seed. Luckily, getting it right is easy.
To prepare your soil before planting grass seed, simply till and loosen the soil to create the best growing conditions you dont need to put down topsoil, says Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love .
To till the soil, Hedges Gower recommends using a fork to lightly dig it over to a depth of about 2-3 inches. This will allow new seedlings to take root, he says.
Remove any rocks and weeds as you go, but dont apply weed killer as this will hinder growth.
‘If possible, leave the seed bed for a few weeks and then get rid of any weeds and rake in some lawn feed before sowing,’ says the experts at Johnsons Lawn Seed .
If you are applying seed to cover patches in a large lawn, it’s a good idea to use an aerator to punch holes into the ground and pull up small plugs of turf and soil.
‘Doing this has two benefits. The first is that some seed will fall into the holes and improve germination. The second is that aerating the soil reduces soil compaction and improves water infiltration, says Landscape Tutor Brian Walker. You can .
To give your grass seed a helping hand, it’s important to feed it. Depending on the product, you can apply pre-seeding fertilizer at the preparation stage, or you can wait until after you have sown the seed to use starter fertilizer.
Rake the soil level before planting the grass seed.
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Will Grass Grow Through A Layer Of Topsoil
Yes, your existing grass will grow through quite nicely, given that the whole process of topdressing the soil is done in the first place. However, if you want your grass to grow faster, youll need to do a little more work. The best way to speed up the growth of your plants is to give them the best conditions possible. Make sure you have enough water.
Watering your lawn is one of the most important things you can do to improve the quality of life in your yard. The more water you give your plant, the more likely it is that it will be able to take advantage of all the nutrients it can get.
How Long To Water New Grass Seed
How long to water new grass seed depends on your soil conditions and your sprinkler setup. In general, ten minutes of watering per session will provide enough water to keep the top couple inches of soil moist.
As your new grass seed grows and flourishes, you can water deeper and less frequently this will encourage established grass roots to extend deeply into the soil. When watering grass seedlings, gradually increase your morning watering sessions over time, while decreasing your evening watering. Eventually, youll want to water between 6 and 10 am, while the weather is still cool. An established lawn typically requires about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall.
Use the chart below to help you plan out your ideal watering schedule:
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