Seeding
A well-maintained lawn and landscape can add 5 to 7 percent to a
property’s value. Not only beautiful, it reduces noise pollution, has a
cooling effect during the hot seasons, and prevents soil erosion.
Growing a lush, green lawn, however, may not always seem easy. Weeds,
brown spots and diseases may appear to be the only things that want to
thrive in your yard. Whatever type of lawn you want to grow, knowing
the following growing techniques helps you establish a healthy, hearty
lawn.
When planting grass seed, either to grow grass over an entire yard or
simply fill bare patches in a thriving lawn, follow these basic
guidelines:
-
SOIL PREPARATION: Soil testing for proper pH
levels of about 6.5 to 7.0 is the first step. Proper pH balance lets
grass absorb needed nutrients and fertilizer. Next, the soil must be
tilled by raking, plowing, disking or by using a rotary tiller. The
ideal seedbed is composed of pea to marble-sized soil particles that
create a good, protective lodging place for seeds.
- TOP SOIL IF NEEDED: Add
top soil only if it’s needed to fill low areas. Top soil that is
trucked in often contains large amounts of weed seeds, including some
weeds that cannot be selectively controlled. So it’s usually best to
work with the soil you already have.
- LEVEL AREA: After
tilling and removing any large clods, the area should be leveled. This
leveling can usually be done using a garden rake and/or other garden
tools.
- SAME DAY SEED & FERTILIZING: Grass seed
can be spread by a drop or rotary spreader, using settings shown on the
seed package. Fertilizer should be applied on the surface in addition
to that tilled into the soil.
- COVER SEEDAND MULCH:
Place grass seed on the surface and lightly rake soil over the seed.
Small seed should be very close to the surface. Larger seed can emerge
from depths of 0.5 to 1 inch. Where irrigation is absent, straw or wood
fiber mulch can be used to improve grass growing success. Be aware that
straw may contain weed seeds.
- WATERING: Watering
is crucial. Keep the seedbed constantly moist to start germination.
Water often, rather than deeply. Only the top inch of soil needs to be
kept moist. Once germination starts, keep the area moist until the
seedlings are well established.
- EARLY MAINTENANCE:
Begin mowing as soon as the seedlings are about 3 inches tall. Do not
mow when soil is so wet that the mower may damage young plants. If weed
seeds that were in the soil start to grow, do not use a weed killer
until the young grass plants have been mowed three times.
General Watering
Consistency and deep watering are two basics of a good lawn program.
- REGULAR SCHEDULE: Irregular
watering can be harmful. It might train the roots to grow too close to
the surface, leaving them more vulnerable to the scorching sun. It can
also push the grass plants in and out of dormancy, forcing them to use
up stored nutrients too quickly.
- DAY VS. NIGHT: Watering
at night spreads diseases which thrive in damp, dark environments.
Daytime watering allows the sun and wind to dry the blades of grass
while their roots are irrigated. As a rule, a sprinkler with a 5/8-inch
hose left in one place for one hour each week will give grass all the
water it needs. If you choose not to water, the grass will go dormant
and turn brown during very hot summer periods. The grass has not died;
it is just using its natural defenses against heat and drought. The
grass should turn green again with sufficient moisture.
Mowing
The way you mow your lawn has a significant effect on its health.
- MOWING HEIGHT:
Grass generally performs best when mowed at one of the higher settings
on your mower—especially in hot summer weather. The mower blade should
be kept sharp, and you should not cut off more than 1/3 of the length
of the grass blades in a single mowing.
- MOWING FREQUENCY: Once
a week is usually sufficient. In spring, when grass is growing more
rapidly, mowing twice a week may sometimes be necessary to avoid
removing more than 1/3 the length of the grass blades.
- GRASS CLIPPINGS: Grass
cycling—leaving clippings on the lawn after mowing—allows nutrients to
return to the soil. Light clippings can decompose rapidly, nourishing
the soil as they decay. Heavy clippings, however, can sometimes,
smother grass, so using a mulching mower in such cases is recommended.
Fertilizing
Nutrients lawns need are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium
(K). The amount of nitrogen to apply may vary from region to region and
turf type, but is normally about four to seven pounds per 1000 square
feet a year. Whatever the amount, it should be carefully applied at
intervals over the course of the growing season. If the applications
are incorrect, extra shoots of grass will grow too quickly, leading to
a buildup of thatch.
Different specialists' opinions may vary as to the exact
ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to use. Generally, however,
you should fertilize seasonally in the following ways:
- SPRING: A
fertilizer with a ratio of about 4-1-2 parts of nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium will help the grass begin the summer growing season.
- EARLY SUMMER: Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium should be mixed at about a 3-1-2 ratio.
- FALL: Although
the blades of grass are beginning to slow in growth, a fertilizer with
higher nitrogen and potassium, at a ratio of 3-1-3, will encourage
healthy root growth, ensuring strong turf the following year. Be
careful and follow the label directions: too much fertilizer can burn
your turf.
Use of Pest Control
If a pest or weed problem is killing the grass, or causing significant
damage, some people apply pesticides. There are many on the
market—either insecticides, herbicides or fungicides—to control
insects, weeds and diseases respectively. It is very important to
properly identify the pest and be sure that an appropriate lawn product
is used.
Be sure to purchase a product targeted to the particular
problem you want to resolve. Determine whether or not the product needs
to be watered into the soil.
Improper and indiscriminate spraying of insecticides, herbicides or
fungicides could do more harm than good. Turf grass is crawling with
life, most of it barely noticeable. Everything living in your grass
should ideally create a natural balance which gives grass the right
environment to grow.
Herbicides, the most commonly used pesticides, must be used carefully,
because they can damage or kill ornamental plants or shrubs if you miss
your target.
Identify the weed and the most effective time in its growing
season to treat it. You must know the exact size of your lawn in square
feet so you can purchase and apply the right quantity of pesticide.
Mix only the amount of pesticides you need. Any excess mixtures of
small amounts of pesticides can be applied over the same site of the
original application. Store any left-over products in their original
containers and away from children or pets. If you are mixing products,
follow the label directions. Do not add a little extra—and never use
the concentrated product. Wash carefully with soap and water if any
spills on your skin.
Hiring of a Lawn Service
- KNOW WHAT YOU WANT FROM A LAWN SERVICE: Lawn care companies provide many
services, including mowing, maintenance, aeration, seeding,
landscaping, fertilization, pest control applications, and tree care.
- FIND OUT WHICH COMPANIES PROVIDE SERVICE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Ask your neighbors or friends for a recommendation.
- ASK
FOR A LAWN INSPECTION AND A FREE ESTIMATE FOR SERVICE: Services that
quote a price without seeing your lawn cannot be sure what your lawn
might need.
- ASK ABOUT THE PRICE SYSTEM AND WHAT SERVICES
ARE INCLUDED: Lawn services may offer a yearly contract or a simple
verbal agreement giving the customer the right to discontinue service
at any time. Find out what happens if you have a problem between
contracts. Will the service calls be free or is there a charge?
- CONSIDER
ANNUAL COSTS VS. COST PER APPLICATION: Many companies allow you to pay
after each treatment and may offer a discount if you pay the annual
cost up front.
- GET A WRITTEN AGREEMENT ABOUT COSTS AND
SERVICES BEFORE YOU PAY: Document the duration and expected results of
the lawn care service.
- LOOK FOR GUARANTEES AND REFUND
POLICIES: Some services may offer a guarantee of performance. Others
may offer refunds if they fail to meet your expectations.
- MAKE
SURE THE SERVICE IS LICENSED TO APPLY LAWN CARE PRODUCTS AS REQUIRED BY
STATE LAW: Check with your state Department of Agriculture or
Environmental Department for details.
- LOOK FOR
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP: A service’s membership in one or more
professional lawn care associations and active participation in the
local community is a positive sign. Professional organizations keep
members informed on new developments in pest control methods, safety,
training, research and regulation. Most associations have a code of
ethics for members to follow. Affiliation with a professional group is
one indication that a company strives for quality in its work.
- GET
A BUSINESS AND COMPLAINT REPORT: For further information on the
company's service record, contact your local Better Business Bureau.
Learn More
To learn more about lawn care, contact the following:
