Remove Weeds And Thatch
Start the actual renovation by removing weeds especially the perennial ones manually or with a herbicide. This keeps other species from competing with your new grass. If you use herbicides, be sure to read the labels and follow the instructions. Most products will allow you to seed in seven days, but some weedkillers will keep your seeds from germinating for three to six weeks.
Check if you need to manage thatch by digging up a small plug of turf, several inches deep. If the spongy layer is more than three quarters of an inch thick when you compress it, its time to have your lawn dethatched. If your lawn is larger than 300 square meters, you would want to use a power rake or a scarifier. For smaller lawns, a manual thatching rake will do.
Get A Soil Test For Your Lawn
As easy as this is to do, its surprising how few people really follow through. Contact your county extension service and tell them you need to do a soil test. Theyll send you all you need to collect the samples and include the box or bag to mail to the lab. What you get back for your modest $10 or so investment is impressive. A report detailing your soils nutritional requirements to promote optimal lawn growth will be spelled out.
The most common readings noted include your soils pH, along with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels. All are important to healthy lawn growth and the report will let you know what is needed in your case specifically to make that happen. Simply follow their instructions and youre well on your way. Ideally, the best time to amend soil per the reports suggestions is prior to lawn renovation. But you cant turn the clock back so take action now.
The Lawn Doctor Steps For Lawn Restoration
When working with you on your yard renovation, your local Lawn Doctor technician will walk you through the steps that will need to be taken to complete your lawn restoration. Some of these steps include:
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Starting Over Should I Renovate
Have you ever thought about starting over with a new lawn? You look around the neighborhood and see impeccable yards. You look down at your own lawn and see unwanted clumps of grasses, Bermuda in your Tall Fescue lawn, or the back lawn which was seeded by the builder is thin and off color compared to the sodded front/sides. We will discuss some of these concerns and options to help resolve your concerns.
How To Renovate Your Lawn
Renovation can have many definitions, in some cases it is used to restore a poor quality turf to good condition without completely tilling or removing the lawn. In other times it can be simply to maintain it at a high level.
If your lawn has structural faults such as poor drainage drastically uneven or poor soil that you complete a reconstruction not a renovation as the renovation process will only provide short term relief of inhert larger problems.
It is important before renovating to determine the cause or causes of deterioration of the lawn, then carry out a corrective program, otherwise you may have to repeat the process again in another year or two. Faults which can usually be corrected by renovating an existing lawn include low soil fertility, soil compaction, too much shade, undesirable grasses and general neglect.
Now, lets talk about Thatch. Thatch is the build up of living and dead runners on top of the soil. Throughout the life of a lawn, new runners will grow and the old runners will die off underneath the new growth. As you can imagine, after a while this can build up quite a thick layer.
All lawn varieties can build up thatch from time to time. A small amount of thatch can be beneficial as it helps prevent evaporation, aids water retention and can give increased tolerance to wear and tear.
However, when this thatch accumulation reaches a point where it impedes water, air and fertiliser penetration, then it needs to be removed by scalping the lawn.
Scalping
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Create A Curved Lawn Edge With Concrete
Sweeping front garden driveway ideas are a popular way to create an approach with impact make sure to line with turf with appropriate edging to keep the kerb appeal maximised.
A mix of materials make this front garden interesting a black steel gate, gravel driveway lined with red brick and, finally, a poured concrete lawn surround.
All of the elements are relatively budget options, but come together to produce a charming entryway.
Decide When To Renovate
Renovation season varies depending on where in the world you live, but its important to make sure that the ground is warm enough for the seeds to germinate and grow. That means that the ground temperature should be at least 10° Celsius. One rule is to wait until after the first cut of the season, when the lawn has turned green and you know that it has started to grow, Karlsson comments.
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How To Renovate And Resod A Lawn
A beautiful lawn is the dream of most homeowners. It adds curb appeal and value to the neighborhood. A well-manicured and healthy lawn also creates a cool, relaxing space for you to unwind and entertain guests. Occasionally, a lawn becomes unattractive because of extreme weather conditions such as drought, or excess foot traffic or lack of care. If your lawn has become an eyesore, there are options available to improve your situation. You can do small repairs, such as placing pieces of sod over bare patches and weeds here or there, or you can renovate and resod the entire lawn.
1.
Research to find what grass is appropriate for your lawn. Decide how much maintenance is required for each type and whether the maintenance schedule is appropriate for your time and budget. Your local county agricultural extension office has a list of the best grass varieties for your specific location.
2.
Measure your landscape to find out how much sod is needed. Sod is sold in rolls or loaded on pallets and sold in square feet. Square feet are measured by multiplying the length of a rectangular area by the width. For example, an area 20 feet by 10 feet measures 200 square feet. If the lawn is an odd shape, split the area into several rectangles, calculate the square feet of each one,and add them together. Ask the dealer where you are buying sod for assistance with calculating the amount needed, if you are unsure of your calculations.
References
Get To The Root Of The Matter
Start by dethatching your yard. Thatch is that thick layer of grass clippings and other organic material at the base of your grass. Too much starves your grass of oxygen and nutrients. Shovel out a triangular plug of grass thats a few inches deep. If the thatch layer is up to an inch thick when you press on it, its time to detach. Its best to do this in spring or fall.
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Spread Some Grass Seed
Use your hands or a broadcast spreader to spread grass seed throughout your lawn. Want more power? A slit-seeder cuts little slits in your yard and plants the grass seed automatically.
Before sowing the grass seed, dethatch your yard to expose the soil by a ½ inch, and soak your yard. Start sowing at the edge of your area. Divide the remaining seed and apply half while walking in one direction, and the rest while walking in another. Lightly cover the seeded area with compost and topsoil.
When you overseed is dependent on where you live.
Northern Climates:
Overseed in late summer or early fall to help young grass germinate, establish strong roots, and store food needed for spring.
Southern Climates:
Overseed in the early summer to help it grass grow strong roots and store nutrients right before fall.
How To Renovate Your Lawn Like A Pro
Just like everything else, your lawn needs to be renovated and maintained from time to time. Lawn renovation works towards improving your existing conditions without killing or removing existing vegetation. You need to have some grass to work with in order to create a new healthy lawn. Hiring a pro to renovate your lawn is pricey, and you might not have it in your budget.
Dont worry! Figuring out how to renovate your lawn like a pro just takes a lot of elbow grease and patience.
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Considerations For Lawn Edging Ideas
Maintaining neat line using a spade can be tiring and repetitive that’s where lawn edging comes in. It helps to keep grass where it is supposed to be with a clean line surrounding the lawn and dividing it from flower beds, pathways and drives.
When choosing a style for your edging, think about the garden as a whole. For cottage and traditional-style gardens, natural stone and a tumbled brick will suit, but for more modern landscapes metal, painted wood and even poured concrete products could work best.
“The first thing I consider when visiting a clients house is their kitchen,” begins Laura Felstead of Soto Gardens. “This gives me clues as to their style modern, traditional, colourful, elegant. The garden really is an extension of your home, and it is important your personal aesthetic is reflected in your outside space.
“Use architectural points of interest or unique viewpoints in your home to inspire your space. When putting inspiration into practice consider the aspect of your garden, soil type, what plants can be combined and the size of plants.”
Choose A Contemporary Timber Finish
One of the most sustainable, stylish and cost-effective options for lawn edging has to be timber. And it can be particularly effective as a finishing between and lawns.
Available at pretty much every DIY shop and garden centre, timber boundaries can come in all sorts of styles and designs. For straight, clean edges, opt for a horizontal product such as this Forest Timber Nova edging from B& Q. Sitting at 30cm high, this product is ideal for around decking or as a patio edging idea .
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Use Metal Edging For A Barely
At first glance, there appears to be no edging to this large lawn but on closer inspection fine metal edging reveals itself. The beauty of the front garden ideas implemented in this instance is in its simplicity and understated nature.
Metal edging is long-lasting and many products offer a contemporary styling that suits many self build houses perfectly.
Although this one is fairly low-level, taller options are available and simply arrive with stakes along one side that are inserted into the ground.
“I find metal edging really useful because it is flexible it can be installed in different shapes and sizes,” adds Laura Felstead.
Keep Your Lawn Looking Nice
Once your lawn is looking good, make sure to keep it that way! Here are a few pointers for ensuring the grass is always greener on this side of your lawn rehab.
Mow high. Most grass thrives at 3 to 4 inches high, and the best practice is to never remove more than a third of the grass blade in one mowing. But to really become a master mower, check out all of our tips for mowing your lawn.
Water deeply and infrequently. Most lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. The roots will grow stronger if this is applied during a single watering or divided into two waterings a week. Get even more tips for watering your lawn to keep it lush.
Fertilize regularly. A seasonal boost of lawn nutrition will keep it green, but it will also help it become stronger and thick enough to stand up to weeds.
You may not want to think about your lawn for a while after this, and fair enough. Join the Scotts program. You answer a few questions about your location and grass type, and our handy subscription service sends you the right product for a season, or a whole year.
After all, you deserve it. Big projects, like a complete backyard makeover, arent easy. But, they are achievable and youve got the photos to prove it. Now that your lawn is in prime condition, call a few friends over, soak up the compliments, and revel in the good times that a great yard sparks.
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Find A Landscaping Company
When youre landscaping your front yard from scratch, youll likely need to bring in professional landscapers for at least some of the work. Meulenbroek recommends looking for companies that are members of national or state trade associations, since these will be up-to-date on industry best practices. Before choosing a company to work with, be sure to look through multiple examples of their work to gauge whether it fits your style.
Choosing a landscape company is similar to choosing contractors for other projects around your home. Take the time to talk to several to decide who you feel comfortable working with.
– Molly Meulenbroek | General Manager, Studleys Flower Garden
When youre finished redoing your landscaping, use our yard cleanup guide to keep it looking its best. Planning to overhaul your landscaping? What are you getting rid of?
Remove Debris From Your Lawn
Before you do anything else, its time to remove the debris from your lawn. You cant do anything if your lawn is covered in dead and dying grass. You can either use a dethatching rake or get an attachment for the back of your lawn mower. Thatch prevents water, air, and sun from reaching the soil and roots. It can suffocate your lawn and stop it from getting all of the nutrients needed to grow and thrive.
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Where To Start When Its Time To Redo Your Lawn From Scratch
Maybe you inherited a lawn full of landscaping woes when you moved into your new home. Or perhaps your front yard has developed issues over time. If more than half of your yardincluding your lawn, all your trees and plants and any decks or other structureshas problems, starting over is often a better plan than struggling to repair what youve already got. Follow these steps to learn how to completely redo your landscaping when quick fixes will no longer cut it.
Complete Guide To Lawn Restoration
Posted on January 20, 2015 by Lawn Doctor
Completely renovating an old lawn should be thought of like renovating a house its a drastic, but sometimes necessary thing to do to help your curb appeal and improve your investment. Just like there are many ways to improve a home without such drastic measures, there are also ways to revive a lawn without doing a complete renovation.
For example, patching or overseeding your yard can help fill in those bare spots and you can also treat diseases and pests that could be causing damage. While that is true, there are times when only a full lawn restoration will help solve the problems you are facing.
D.I.Y. Lawn Restoration
Before you take the drastic step of a complete lawn restoration, there are steps you can take yourself, or with our help, that may bring your grass back to life.
- Remove debris from your yard
- This should be obvious, but make sure there isnt any debris or clippings left in your yard. These can obstruct the grass ability to grow and make it difficult to start the lawn restoration process.
Why would you need a complete lawn renovation?
ther reasons that you may need to consider yard renovation:
When is the best time for Lawn Restoration?
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How To Renovate Your Lawn Start To Finish
Renovating your lawn can be one of the most fun and rewarding projects for your home. Its a lot of hard work, but its easy to understand and follow. I killed my entire lawn off to record all the steps I took. Now I went crazy and did a ton of optional steps, so if something seems too hardcore for you, dont feel you have to do it too.
Here is the overview video, it goes over the steps but not in full detail. The full detail playlist is below 42 videos in total. Its a ton of information but I tried to be as detailed as possible so you could learn the most!
The critical steps for a renovation would be:
