Some people plant fruits and veggies and some people plant grass. The amount of care, concern and sheer back-breaking labor many people put into growing grass is impressive, and it takes a particular kind of gardening skill to grow that coveted emerald green, perfectly uniform lawn to which so many suburbanites aspire. In this article, we will discuss some of the top tips to help you keep up with the Jones’ and have a great lawn.
Choosing the right kind of grass is of the utmost importance. You must pay close attention to factors other than appearance. One of the most important of these is soil. Have your soil tested and choose a type of grass that is most likely to do well in the soil you have. Otherwise, you will spend a great deal of time and money on soil amendments to create the perfect soil for your grass.
Even when you choose just the right grass for your area, you will need to prepare your soil carefully for a uniform appearance. Your yards should be tilled and leveled for a nice, smooth surface upon which to sow your grass seed or sod. Be sure to remove rocks and stones now so that you will not discover them with your mower blades or by spraining your ankle in the future.
Apply a good fertilizer, such as calcium-rich lime, to your soil in an even manner. Rake it in with a fine-toothed rake and then tap the soil all over to create a nice smooth surface. Don’t tap too hard. You want to soil to remain receptive to root growth. You may want to go over it again (lightly) with your rake to create a welcoming surface for your seed or sod.
You can sow your seed by hand or use a seed distributor that you push. Get good, even seed coverage to prevent bare spots and openings for opportunistic weeds. Once you have your seed in place, toss out a light layer of mulched straw or peat moss and provide a good watering with a sprinkler. All of these steps work together to give your seed a good start and help it sink into the soil so the birds can’t get it.
Of course, if you choose to install sod instead of planting seed, your job is a little different and a lot harder. Be sure to order your sod from a reputable company that guarantees no pests or poisons in the sod. Rolling it out is hard work, and you will really need a roller to press it down into the ground for good root contact. Overall, for a homeowner, seeding a lawn is preferable to DIY sod installation.
Your grass seed should be watered gently and thoroughly a couple of times a week until it really takes hold. Once it is well-established, it’s best to water a couple of inches about once a week. This will encourage deeper root growth and hardier grass.
When you follow the tips presented here, you can produce a beautiful lawn that will be the envy of all your neighbors.