Revitalizing a dead or weed-stricken lawn is something that is
often difficult to do. Rather, you may want to consider starting
from scratch, so you’ll have a blank canvas on which to grow a
healthy, beautiful lawn. But where to start? Here are some tips
anyone with even a moderate green thumb can handle:[neWLine]Know
what type of grass you should plant. Different regions of the
country and their climates respond better to certain types of grass
than others. In the southern United States, for instance, Bermuda
grass, Carpet grass or Korean Lawngrass are among your best
choices. In the north, however, Kentucky bluegrass, Bentgrass or
Redtop are all more appropriate and likely to thrive in the
climate. Before planting or purchasing any grass seed, consult with
a local lawn care professional at your nearest hardware or
garden-supply store.
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[neWLine]Once you’ve learned what grasses are best for your region
and you’ve decided on a particular blend, you can start to prepare
your land for planting.
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[neWLine] Remove all debris from your yard. This will include any
trash in the yard, wood, large roots and even stones. The presence
of trash such as broken glass or even faded paper products such as
cups or bags is not only unsafe for the environment, but it can
prove harmful to anyone who might be out in the yard once your
grass grows, especially if you have children. Once you’ve removed
all debris, you can continue to prepare for planting by using a
spade or rake to smooth the soil. Next you’ll want to loosen the
soil as well, something that can be done with a garden rake. Any
unsightly areas, such as humps or ditches, should either be
smoothed out or filled in, depending on which is appropriate. This
can be done with some soil and should not prove too costly.
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[neWLine] Spread the seed and know your area. If your lawn is not
particularly big, you can scatter the seed by hand. If you have a
larger lawn, a drop spreader, which is sold at any hardware store,
will do the trick. When spreading with a drop spreader, use the
suggested amount of seed on the bag (even a little less seed should
do the trick) and make sure you spread out the rows evenly in the
same direction. Once you’ve sowed the first part of your lawn in
one direction, you can crisscross back over that part at a
90-degree angle, making sure you keep equal distance and calibrate
your spreader at the same speed.
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[neWLine] Mulch. This is an important step because it will keep the
soil moist and conducive to growing grass. You can mulch with just
about anything, be it topsoil, straw or even dried manure. Keep
mulch at about a quarter-inch, as this is just a precautionary step
to ensure your lawn will grow in nicely and shouldn’t be
overdone.
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[neWLine] Water. After you’ve mulched, you can now begin to water.
Again, however, exercise caution, as too much water sprayed at too
high a setting means you’re running the risk of washing away seed.
Once you’ve finished sowing, soak the soil about six inches deep.
This is important because you want to keep the seeds moist so they
can grow. Seeds will not begin to germinate for at least seven
days, so you’ll need to water for at least that long and possibly
longer. Three to four times a day at a light setting is a good rule
of thumb to follow until you see the seedlings growing in.
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[neWLine] Enjoy. Once those seedlings begin to grow in, you can now
sit back and enjoy your new lawn!
