If you read our last blog about preparing to plant a new lawn, you have learned about the difference between cool and warm season grasses. Other factors to consider are your lifestyle, budget, and sun exposure. Will your lawn get full or partial sun? Should it be more durable due to foot traffic, pets, or young children? Once you’ve considered these conditions and selected the proper seed, you can get to planting.
Timing
It is very important to wait for the right time to plant your grass. Plant timing varies depending on your region and what grass type you plan on installing. As the name suggests, the growing season for cool-season grasses is mainly in the cool months of spring and fall. With these seasons it is important to fertilize heavily in the fall and lightly in early spring. The main growing seasons for warm season grasses are late spring and early summer. This is dependent, however, on your geographic area.
Preparing Your Soil
Using a sharp shovel, dig up the area you wish to plant new grass on. While doing this you will want to remove any and all unwanted grass and plants down to the root. Removing any rocks, work the area with a tiller. This is to break the soil down into small partials that will be easier for grass seed to flourish in.
An Even Surface
Peaks and valleys are great for mountain ranges but not the most desirable for a lawn. Using a gardening rake, make your surface as even as possible. You want your surface to be free from any rocks, sticks, or other debris. Some like to take this time to soak their surface soil to encourage microbe and fungi production. You may also consider treating you soil with a biological growth promoter that will encourage microbe production such as Rhizone.
Seeding
Some grass seeds have very specific guides on how to plant them, However, as a general how-to you can start by working your preferred fertilizer into the newly tilled soil. This ensures your seed enter into a prepared and nutritious environment they can thrive in. Follow this with spreading your grass seeds. To ensure full coverage without any bald spots make a crisscross pattern, spreading half in one direction and the other half in perpendicular lines.
Watering
For newly seeded lawns the key is to keep topsoil moist but not soggy. Most lawns require 1-2 inches of water. The two inches s especially true for just germinating soil until the new grass reaches three inches in height. After that watering can go from daily to about twice a week. It is recommended you water in the early morning to avoid water loss, potential diseases, and aid water conservation.
Conclusion
Stay up to date with our blog for more information on how to grow a healthy and vivacious lawn, Next week we will conclude our series for caring for grass.
