Planting a replacement lawn may be a big job for you but, it’s going to be best to tackle the project in sections. You’ll begin this process by redoing the worst or most visible lawn areas then make plans to tackle the remaining areas the subsequent year. Starting with smaller sections rather than the whole lawn keeps the work manageable and makes the critical step of watering feasible for homeowners who don’t have in-ground sprinkler systems. However, whether you plant a replacement lawn piecemeal or all directions, you’ll get to take the subsequent steps that are mentioned below.
Step 1: Remove Old Turf
The first step is to kill and take away any poor-quality turf that may be accomplished through several methods including solarization, heavy mulches, employing a hoe or sod cutter, and herbicides. Confine your mind that some methods are simpler in certain lawn and climate conditions than others. Try to learn more about each method to work out which might be the simplest match for your yard.
Step 2: Fix Grade Problems
Before adding amendments to the soil, fix any existing grade problems. Although grading often requires help from a landscaping contractor with heavy equipment, you’ll fix minor problems yourself with either earth-moving equipment or a landscaping rake.
Step 3: Amend the Soil
This is your best opportunity to feature amendments like fertilizer, organic matter, and lime or sulfur. Use a soil test to work out the simplest amendments for your particular soil. You can send a sample to a Cooperative extension (CSREES) to test your soil that is typically located at or affiliated with a state university, or to a billboard soil tester.
Use an influence tiller to figure amendments, including fertilizer and organic matter, into the soil then use a landscaping rake to level.
Step 4: Rake Smooth and Firm
Rake the world for replanting until it’s smooth and take away any stones and vegetative matter delivered to the surface during tilling. Next, water the bottom and check for puddles. Allow the soil time to dry adequately. After that, fill the depressions with soil from higher spots. To foster adequate soil structure, roll the prepared soil to supply a firmer base. Do so by filling a lawn roller about one-third with water, and roll until your footprints are not any deeper than a ½-inch for optimal planting. If the seed is planted in soil that’s too loose, the seed generally finishes up too deep and should die before reaching the surface.
Complete this step by thoroughly watering the world to a depth of 5 or 6 inches two days before planting.
Step 5: Plant Your New Lawn
It is finally time to plant your new lawn! There are four methods of planting a replacement lawn: sod, seed, sprigs, and plugs. Each method requires different techniques of installation and preparation but you can also go simple by just sodding your lawn, seed it, sprigs, and then plugs afterward.
Step 6: Caring for Your New Lawn
You have now put tons of labor into creating a replacement lawn so now, don’t forget the foremost important step. Before you plant your lawn try to plan for their watering needs. Overwatering your plants or insufficient water are the leading causes of new-lawn failure. Take precautions to stop damage. Minimize play and pedestrian traffic on new and sodded lawns for a minimum of three weeks.
Conclusion
Do not fertilize new lawns for a minimum of six weeks. After six weeks, apply light-weight fertilization of ½-pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Thereafter, fertilize consistently with the recommendations given for established lawns. Water your lawn daily to make them grow and survive.
