Seeding new lawns
When it comes
to seeding new lawns, good preparation is usually the key to success and
before you sow the seeds it is important to prepare the soil adequately.
It is important to clear the site completely, removing any large stones
and rubble, and all plant growth, including any tree stumps or roots.
If the site is already partially turfed, but in too poor a condition to
be worth renovating, then remove all the turf. It is sensible to clear
the ground using a weed killer initially as it can be more difficult to
eliminate weed grasses once the lawn is established.
It is now necessary to rotavate or dig the soil, removing any large stones
that may come to the surface. A lawn grows best on medium loam, and you
need to try to produce a soil as near to this as possible.
If the area you intend to seed is small, you can dig it by hand, but for
larger areas you will find it a great advantage to hire a rotavater. Rotavate
the site a number of times and the result will be a fine tilth, ready
to be raked and leveled. If you have heavy clay soil, include sand or
fine peat. If you have sandy soil dig in some moisture holding material,
such as well rotted manure or compost.
Next, you will have to level the area. If the existing soil is reasonably
level you may only need to rake it level. If you like, use pegs knocked
into the soil, together with a piece of timber stretched from peg to peg
with a sprit level on top, to ensure correct levels, or use a laser level.
If there is a substantial drop in the level, remove topsoil first, putting
it to one side on a polythene sheet. Remove the subsoil to the depth you
require, and then return the topsoil. It can be beneficial if a large
area is to be built up, to order a load of good quality topsoil. Any surplus
may be used in another part of the garden. Try to consider this in the
early stages of planning.
Firm the surface by treading it evenly, or by tamping it with the back
of a rake. Repeat, if necessary, until the entire site is well firmed.
Rake the soil to a fine tilth and leave it to allow any weeds to germinate.
When they appear, apply a contact weed killer, and, after about 2-3 days,
rake off the weeds. Apply a base dressing of a compound granular organic
fertilizer and lightly rake it into the surface. Leave the site for a
few days before seeding.
Select a grass seed to suit your lifestyle - are you looking for an ornamental
lawn or a practical one? There are a variety of seed mixtures available.
Sowing times will depend on whether irrigation is available. Without irrigation,
sow in the spring from late March to early May and autumn sowings from
mid August to mid September. If irrigation is available, it is possible
to sow throughout the growing season.
Seed may be sown either by hand or, faster and more evenly, by a machine.
First calculate the amount of seed needed using the suppliers recommended
sowing rate. Generally a rate of 50 gms/m2 will produce excellent results,
but a lower rate of 35gms/m2 may be applied where perfect conditions of
warm soils, good soil moisture, availability of irrigation and accurate
seed application are guaranteed. A good guideline is one good handful
of seed per square meter or yard.
Before sowing the seed, shake the container to mix the seeds thoroughly
and ensure that small seeds do not settle to the bottom and thus give
an uneven distribution of grass types.
When seeding by hand, scatter evenly moving left to right, top to bottom.
If seeding by machine, sow half of the seed in the one direction and the
other half at right angles of this. Then lightly rake the seeded area
to partially cover the seed (to a depth of 0.5cm - approx. 1/4" -
is fine). Most of the seed left on top will still germinate.
New grass seedlings will appear over the next 7- 21 days depending on
the weather. Remember to water the seeds if it is dry with a 'fine rose'
watering can or sprinkler to keep them moist.
It's a good idea to protect your seeds from birds dust-bathing. Stretch
some string across the area, tied with lengths of silver foil - standing
on a plank as you go to prevent disturbing your newly sown seeds.
When the grass has reached a height of about an inch, the surface may
be firmed with a lightweight roller, although this is not essential.
Hold off mowing your new lawn until it has reached about 8cm (approx 3")
high and then only take off about 1.5cm (approx. 1/2"). On subsequent
cuts you can gradually lower the blades, but don't go lower than an inch.
.
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Ashford Kent.
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