|  Every
homeowner dreams of having the “perfect lawn”. While
lawns require some degree of maintenance, having the perfect lawn
is easier than you think, and quite affordable. Whether by seed
or sod, you can have a lawn which is the envy of the neighborhood.
Creating a New Lawn With Sod
Preparing the soil
To prepare the soil for sod or seed follow this recipe for a successful
lawn. Begin with a 5 – 8 cm base of good soil mix (50% topsoil
– 25% peat moss – 25% sand) and roto-till into the top
8 – 10 cm (Fig. 1). Remove rocks and debris and rake level.
Do not leave any depressions now or you’ll have a lumpy lawn
(Fig. 2). Apply a “ Turf Starter” fertilizer such as
Nutrite “Superturf Lawn Sod & Seed Food” (10-25-10)
at the recommended rate before installing sod or seed. Water deeply
to a depth of about 6 inches. Allow to dry approximately 24 hours
and then begin laying sod. Do not have sod delivered until you are
ready to begin installation as it has a short “shelf life”
if not laid immediately.
| Fig. 1
|
Fig. 2
|
Installing the sod
Choose a starting point parallel to the longest straight edge of
your yard. Stagger the sod strips as if you’re laying bricks.
Avoid overlapping edges; butt edges and ends of sod so that they
fit tightly (Fig. 3) , but avoid cutting sod into short, narrow
strips. Trim sod with a sharp knife. Don’t stand or kneel
on the sod while it’s being laid as you will leave air pockets
in the recently tilled soil underneath. In hot weather sprinkle
sod lightly as it is being laid to prevent drying out. Use a lawn
roller to lightly squeeze out air pockets (Fig. 4).
| Fig. 3
|
Fig. 4
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Watering
Watering is the most important step in developing a healthy lawn.
Immediately after installation, soak your new lawn thoroughly to
a depth of 15 cm. Use a moisture meter to check the proper watering
depth. Soak your new lawn repeatedly each day, or as often as necessary,
to keep it moist. Deep frequent watering keeps the sod from wilting
and helps the roots get established. Be careful not to flood, as
lawns will not grow in standing water. After 2 – 3 weeks,
once your sod lawn is established, you can reduce watering frequency.
Varying climate and soil conditions will determine the proper watering
cycle. Infrequent, deep soakings (once every 5-14 days) will best
encourage your grass to develop a strong, deep root system.
Pests and Diseases
Top quality sod comes weed, insect and disease free when delivered.
However, weeds and insects may invade your lawn from neighboring
areas. Frequent mowing will reduce most annual weed problems. Use
chemical weed controls sparingly during the first growing season.
A vigorous, healthy turf is the best prevention for weed and insect
problems.
NEXT: Creating a New Lawn With
Seed
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