S To Plant A New Lawn Successfully
Planting a new lawn is a big job it may be best to tackle the project in sections. You can begin this process by redoing the worst or most visible lawn areas, and then make plans to tackle the remaining areas the following year.
Starting with smaller sections instead of the entire lawn keeps the job manageable and makes the critical step of watering feasible for homeowners who do not have in-ground sprinkler systems. However, whether you plant a new lawn in stages or all at once, you will need to take the following steps:
The Weed Control Timing Chart
Herbicides may be almost completely ineffective if applied at the wrong time of year. There is an optimum time frame to apply an herbicide to each weed. In most cases, this time is early in the weeds life cycle, but in some cases, herbicides should be applied during a different growth stage. Generally, weeds should be actively growing when an herbicide is applied. In certain instances, only a pre-emergent herbicide may provide effective control. Remembering when to apply herbicides for the many different weeds can be a challenge. The herbicide label provides definitive information concerning the turf growth stage, time of day, and weather conditions when the product may be applied, but this simple chart can help in making a plan for the timing of lawn weed control.
The Lawn Weed Control Timing Chart was developed to help remove confusion and guesswork when determining the recommended time of year to control various weeds in lawns. The chart is arranged with a list of common weeds in rows on the left, and months of the year in columns on the top of the chart. The row for each weed listed has a colored bar in the row, indicating the time frame when the weed may be most effectively controlled. Green bars indicate application time ranges for post-emergent herbicides , and goldenrod bars indicate application time ranges for pre-emergent herbicides.
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What Is Sandy Loam And Do I Need It
Sandy Loam is not actually a requirement for laying new turf, but it does provide the environment with good drainage and aeration.
As the name suggests, sandy loam is soil that has more sand in it than clay.
Its well-drained and porous, making it a great addition to any garden or lawn with different needs from just one type of soil.
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How To Water Your New Turf Lawn
Make sure you water your new turf lawn every day for the first four to six weeks to help the roots to settle in. Thirsty turf can quickly turn into dead turf, so keep it moist with regular watering. Additionally, you should keep people and pets off the surface for at least one month.
As the roots take hold, you can gradually reduce the frequency of watering to allow deep rooting, but keep in mind that in super-hot, dry conditions, you may need to water your turf up to four times per day.
Whole Lawn Or Spot Treatment
- If the weeds are sparse or limited to certain areas of the lawn it is not necessary to spray the whole lawn you can spot spray the weeds or only spray the affected areas.
- Coarse grasses can also be a weed in fine turf lawns. The broadleaf weed killers will have little effect on these and spot treatment with Weed Weapon Invade Gel is the best option. Apply the gel to the central growing crowns of the coarse grass.
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What Type Of Grass To Buy
Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass grow well in harsh Canadian conditions. But you dont have to study grass varieties to find the right grass seed mix for your lawn. Most quality grass seed contains several varieties to give you the best results.
However, you should take note of how the sunlight hits your lawn. Is the area mostly sunny or shady? Some grass seed products are customized for sunny, dense shade, and a mix of both so you can choose the product that matches the lighting in your yard.
Cheap grass seed usually includes empty hulls, stems, weed seeds, and fillers. Check the product label to make sure the seed germination percentage is high and the weed seed content is very low. Investing a few extra dollars in quality grass now will save you time, frustration, and money later.
Use this shopping list to pick up everything you need to seed your lawn:
How To Lay Turf: Soil Preparation Is Key
Many Aussie soils are simply not suited to growing grass at least not without a fair amount of help. Some soils have too much compacted clay, which means air and water cant penetrate to the roots. Others are too alkaline or acidic.Worst of all, some soils seem particularly good at growing weeds but nothing else!
Fortunately, issues with poor soil can easily be corrected before you lay your turf. Here are some pointers for soil preparation the key to a happy lawn:
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Long Term Care For Established Lawns
Maintaining a regular lawn maintenance routine will ensure your established lawn continues to thrive.
Watering
Once established, your lawn only needs watering when necessary. This is usually one deep watering a week, about 25mm is sufficient, and will help to produce a more drought tolerant lawn. Remember, sandy soils may need a little more watering.
Mowing
Weekly mowing is recommended during the summer months as this when your lawn will grow quickest. As the growth pattern slow, less mowing is required. Always remember not to mow more than 1/3 of the leaf.
Fertilising
Though an established lawn doesnt require it as often, we recommend spreading a fertiliser across the turf during the spring, summer and autumn months.
What Month Should I Fertilize My Lawn
Most lawn care companies recommend that you apply lawn fertilizer in the spring, between February and April. This is when your grass will start to green up as it begins to actively grow. Basically, if it looks like your grass is ready for its first mowing of the season, then it should also be ready for lawn fertilizer.
While most people know to fertilize their lawns in the spring, it is important to remember that fall feeding is critical, too. In the fall, grass roots are going down into the soil and need fertilizer to stay healthy. This is the most important application of fertilizer for the whole year since it will protect your lawn as it goes dormant over winter. However, if the fall you should use a specific fall fertilizer that is slightly higher in phosphorous and potassium, as it will promote better root growth. To ensure optimal lawn health, fertilize heavily in the fall and lightly in early spring.
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Starting A New Lawn In Clay Soil
Clay soil does a fine job retaining water and nutrients. However, if the clay becomes compacted by heavy rain or footprints, the ground wont provide enough space or nutrition for grass roots to thrive. Here are a few tips for growing a beautiful new lawn on clay soil:
- Amend the clay soil by working 10-15 cm of organic matter into the top 30 cm of soil.
- You can also apply gypsum with a spreader to loosen up compacted clay.
- Add organic matter to your lawn every year to make sure it gets the nutrients it needs.
- Aerate your clay-soil lawn every year, too, to improve the circulation of air and water.
How Often Should I Water My New Garden
In the first few weeks, you should water it at least once a day while it beds in. It is important to encourage the roots to grow and keep the turf healthy. However, watch out for over-watering – it should never turn into a bog. If you see standing water collect on top of the lawn, wait a day for it to sink in.
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If You Do Decide To Lay Your Own Lawn Here Is Our Foolproof Guide On How Its Done:
Tools & materials you will need: rotovator, garden fork, garden spade, shovel, wheelbarrow, soil rake, turfing boards , knife, pre-turf fertiliser, lawn turf, weed killer and applicator, sprinkler, garden hose.
Step 1: Choose the right turf
Visit our dedicated page on how to choose the right turf for your lawn.
Step 2: Kill existing vegetation
Kill off any vegetation such as weeds and grass with Glyphosate herbicide or similar systemic herbicide or thoroughly dig out the unwanted vegetation. This will make life much easier for rotovating and will prevent unwanted weeds growing through the new turf.
Step 3: Rotovate
Rotovate or dig through the area to a depth of approximately 100mm deep to relive compaction and to create a workable tilth. Several passes with a rotovator may be necessary.
Step 4: Rake
Rake the soil down to create a fine smooth tilth to remove stones and particles which are larger than 20mm in size. Firm in the soil by treading up and down the area in between passes with the rake. Scrape off high points and fill in low areas with a shovel. Carry out final tilth with a finer rake. Contractors may use powered rakes and other specialist machinery. Remove all arisings such as stones and debris from site. Remember it is crucial to get the soil as smooth and even as you want the final lawn to be because turf will not even out any imperfections. Always bring soil right up to the same level as any adjoining paving or edgings.
Step 5: Fertilise
Step 6: Laying boards
Guidelines For Using Postemergence Herbicides
When choosing an herbicide, make sure that it will control the weed and that it is recommended for your turf. Before using, read the entire label and follow it precisely for rate and timing. The following tips will help you achieve optimum control.
- Most broadleaf weeds are best treated in the spring or fall when air temperatures are between 65 and 85 degrees F. During hotter temperatures, turf damage is more likely to occur.
- At the time of treatment, soil moisture should be adequate. When stressed by drought, weed control is poor and turf damage may occur.
- Do not mow immediately prior to or after application. Mowing lessens the amount of surface area that the herbicide contacts.
- With spray applications, treat weeds when no rain is expected for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid treating on windy days because herbicide spray drift can injure ornamental plants.
- Best results occur when weeds are young.
- For acceptable control, repeat applications, 10 to 14 days apart, may be required.
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Short Term Care For New Lawns
A newly laid lawn should not be allowed to dry out over the first couple of weeks. Once established, you should first mow your turf when it has grown to 6cm high remembering never to mow more than 1/3 of the leaf. We also recommend using a fertiliser to keep your lawn green and healthy.
Watering
It is essential that for the first 7-14 days, or until the turf has taken root, you keep the soil moist. This will ensure your new lawn can establish a good root system and will help it last through hot and dry weather.
After your lawn has taken root you shouldnt be able to pull corners of the turf up, water carefully for the next 3 weeks.
Mowing
New turf must be firmly rooted before you can start mowing. The first mow happens when the lawn reaches about 6cm in height, do not let it grow higher than this before the first mowing.
Subsequent mowings, while the turf is still establishing, should not be done below 4cm.
Fertilising
Remember to never mow more than 1/3 of the leaf. We recommend you fertilise your lawn six weeks after laying, followed by a deep watering. This will help give the new turf the nutrients it needs to grow into a strong and healthy lawn.
When To Put Fertilizer On Lawns
All lawns need fertilizer in early spring when the grass begins to green up. Your fertilization schedule for the rest of the season depends on the type of grass in your lawn, the type of fertilizer you use, and your climate. Most lawn seed is a mixture of several different types of grasses, and both spring and fall fertilization are appropriate.
The label on a bag of lawn fertilizer will recommend a schedule based on the type of fertilizer it contains. The label is your best guide to how often to apply the product and how much to use. As long as you dont overdo it and avoid fertilizing in the hottest part of summer, your lawn should thrive.
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Can I Lay New Turf On Top Of An Old Lawn
4 min read
It sounds like a time-saving solution but should you lay new turf on top of an old lawn? Turfonline advise against it and heres why.
At the risk of sounding like a politician, Im inclined to answer this question with another question why on earth would you want to lay lovely new turf on top of an old lawn? I can understand the temptation to save yourself the work of lifting an old lawn, disposing of the grass and then preparing the soil for brand new turf, such as the highly-acclaimed Jubilee Lawn Turf, to rejuvenate the garden. I must admit I have tempted to hang new wallpaper on top of old in the past which is pretty much the same thing.
Yes, you can temporarily disguise bald patches in your lawn by laying new turf on top of it. AND the new turf will probably root in to it in the short term but the effect will not last. Your new lawn will soon look like your old one and you will have wasted your money!
Choosing The Right Turf
Your choice of turf will depend on what you use your garden for.
If you’ve got little people running up and down with a football whilst you wait with baited breath for them to kick it over into the neighbours garden for the millionth time, then you’ll need to go for the hard-wearing option.
Opt for a turf that’s ryegrass-based because this will prove to be the most durable , and it’s typically the easiest to maintain.
Or perhaps your garden serves a more ornamental purpose, to look beautiful and impress passers by? In this case, choose a turf with more fescue grasses than ryegrass. This type of turf is higher maintenance but the extra effort will certainly be worth it if you’re aiming for a pristine, elegant garden.
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When You Should Spray Your Weeds
The best time to treat weeds is when they are actively growing. This means you should start spraying and treating in the spring, usually sometime in April. Youll have to maintain your weed-killing regiment into late September/early October.
Its best not to jump the gun when using weed killers. Theres a lot of weeds in early spring that wont surface until later on in the year. Most weed killers are contact sprays: The treatment will only be effective if they make direct contact with the weeds. Youre better off waiting until May: By that time most of the weeds will have emerged, making them much easier to dispose of.
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How To Lay A Turf Lawn
This article was co-authored by Benjamin Hansen and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall. Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification.There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 143,196 times.
If youve ever envied your neighbor’s lush green lawn, you might be thinking about laying down some turf in your yard. Turf is an easy way to replace a patchy lawn with bright, even grass, but only if you do it the right way. By cleaning up your old lawn, adding some fertilizer, and rolling out the new turf properly, you can have a brand-new looking lawn in no time.
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Dig The Soil To The Correct Depth
The soil should be cultivated well by turning it through with a fork, ensuring the topsoil meets a minimum depth of 15cm. If the existing soil does not meet this requirement you can purchase either normal topsoil or pre-turfing soil, which is designed to be the ideal sub-base for a new lawn due to the addition of pre-turf fertiliser and other nutrients.
If you’re using the existing sub-base or normal topsoil, spread a pre-turf fertiliser over the area to provide your new lawn with the nutrients it needs to get the best start in life.
The soil should be left to settle and given time for the weedkiller to do its thing. A few weeks is recommended for optimum results.
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.
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