New Lawn Care – Testing, Adjusting, Tilthing and Planting
Lawn care is something most people have hands-on experience with
at one time or another. Whether a specialized lawn care and landscaping
professional, or a novice grounds keeper. From simply watering, mowing,
and occasional feeding, to planning, preparing, and planting grass
seed for a new lawn. Lawn care is a necessity for nearly homeowner
Proper Lawn Care Begins with Soil Testing
The most important thing to remember when starting a new lawn
is the lawn will only be as good as the preparation work done before
planting.
Consideration and adjustments must be made for the following:
- Soil type
- Planned use of the lawn
- Type of lawn grass best suited to your growing zone
- Whether your lawn needs sun grass or shade grass, or a combination
of both
A local nursery or county USDA extension office can help with these
determinations. For instance, they can do tests and provide information
on what fertilizer mixture ratio is best suited for your type soil.
What ph adjustments or fillers such as peat moss or sawdust are
necessary, and what type of lawn grass would be best
It is best to properly prepare the soil before planting a new lawn,
than to try and make corrections once there is already an existing
one. Soil should be thoroughly tilled to a depth of 8 to 10-inches;
add any necessary fillers or ph adjusting agents to perfect the
soil
Adjusting Ph, Nutrients, and Tilth
For optimum growing conditions, soil ph should range from slightly
acid to slightly alkaline, at 6.0 to 7.5; 7.0 is neutral. For soil
that tests outside this range, if below 6.0 add limestone. If it
is above 7.5, add sulfur. Limestone should be added at the rate
of 10 to 20 pounds per 100 sq. ft. of lawn for each ph point below
6.0. If ph is above 8.0, add 4 pounds of sulfur for every 100 sq.
ft. of lawn. Thoroughly till additives into the soil.
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If phosphorus is required, super-phosphorus should be added to only
the top few inches of soil; roughly 5 pounds for every 100 sq. ft.
Mix in with a cultivator. If a sprinkler system will be installed,
complete the installation before final grade leveling. Finish the
final grade leveling; be careful not to leave any humps or low spots.
Make sure water will drain away from structures.
The entire lawn area should be rolled with a weighted lawn roller
to firm the soil; lightly water to settle the soil.
Select the Right Type of Grass
You are now ready to plant grass seed. Use the type of grass that
will best suit your needs. Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrasses, and fescues
should be planted spring or early fall. Bluegrass or ryegrasses
do not fair well in hot sun; Bermuda grass can be planted mid-summer
and will withstand hot sunny areas. Fescues prefer full sun to part
shade.
Using Professional Lawn Care Services
If lawn care upkeep seems too much of an undertaking, professional
lawn care services or landscaping services can provide everything
necessary for a perfect lawn. A service professional can develop
a lawn care schedule for winter lawn care tasks, as well as spring
lawn care treatments. Such as applying pre-emergence products to
inhibit problem weeds before they start.
Lawn and landscaping services apply lawn care fertilizer that is
sprayed in liquid form. Immediately absorbed by the lawn, and yielding
results seen almost overnight. Many lawn care services will also
install sod; an “instant lawn” option available to homeowners.
Whether you need lawn care Dayton, Ohio, or lawn care Dallas, Texas,
find just the right lawn care professional on-line at HandyAmerican.com,
where homeowners all across America find reliable service providers
in their locality.
Find trained professionals for new lawn care Chicago, Illinois
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