Lawns have become a familiar attribute of modern home gardens. They allow us to improve the territory, give it an ecological and comfortable look at low cost. Sowing and lawn cultivation is not the destiny of the elite and is available to any gardener and vegetable grower. As in the cultivation of vegetable or flower plants for the cultivation of lawn grass there are certain requirements. There are also specifics in keeping your lawn in good condition.
Choosing a lawn
In order to determine the future seeding location for your lawn, you need to know what conditions are necessary. First of all it is a presence of a fertile layer on a sowing area. It can be quite small, as the root system of grasses forming the basis of any lawn is taprooting and superficial. However, you can’t expect to get good lawn growth on bare soil or sand. The more solid the fertile surface layer, the more stable the lawn will be against adverse conditions. An important point is also the homogeneity of the topography of the site, without significant slopes and depressions. Such areas are subject to water erosion and soaking. In addition, on uneven ground it is more difficult to mow the growing grass at the right height. Uniform illumination of the future lawn area is also desirable. With a considerable difference it will be difficult to achieve a color uniformity of the lawn. Grass grown in permanently shaded areas will be more pale in color than that grown in a well-lit area.
Seasons
Lawns can be sown both in spring and in autumn. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. Spring sowing is more predictable and therefore has a better chance of success. Over the summer the grass will get stronger and stronger enough to overwinter successfully. Autumn, and especially its transition into winter can be frosty, without enough snow. Such conditions are not conducive to the preservation of the lawn. At the same time, the autumn sowing allows you to avoid the effects of the heat. Cool fall weather with plenty of light and moisture, creates the perfect conditions for good lawn growth. The choice of the time of year is left to the owner.
Preparing the lawn
Before sowing it is necessary to maximally clear the area planned for sowing from weeds and debris. It is necessary to loosen the surface of the soil so that the seeds can be sown into it. The depth of sowing of grass seeds is 1-2 cm. Therefore the cutting of the top layer must be very thorough. The soil must be fine and well levelled. This will achieve a uniform seed depth and consistent, level sprouts.
Lawn types, intended use
There are several basic types of lawns:
Regular;
Universal;
Sports;
Grounds.
An ordinary lawn is sown with a mixture of seeds of various grasses. In addition to cereal grasses, it may also include clover. It is an undemanding lawn – not designed for severe stress. Universal lawns are more resistant and tolerate a daily presence on it and a pretty decent load. Requires more frequent mowing. Sports lawns consist of the toughest grasses, not markedly decorative, but can withstand permanent high loads. Parterre lawns are the most decorative and gentle. They are not designed for hardiness and have only a decorative function. Capricious in maintenance and demanding to the conditions of overwintering.
Lawn seeding
After preparing the soil and selecting a lawn mixture or individual grass seeds, proceed to sowing. There are special grass seeders that facilitate the process of sowing or reseeding of grass seeds. But you can also do with hand sowing, especially if the lawn is not too large. For this choose a windless day and make the scattering of seeds as evenly as possible, as our ancestors did, grabbing the seeds with a handful and scattering around themselves, evenly moving in the right direction. Lawn grass seeds are light-colored and clearly visible on the soil surface. Having achieved an even coverage of the plot with seeds, it is necessary to flatten them with a fan rake. In this case they are covered with a small layer of soil. After embedding the soil should be rolled and well moistened, be sure to use the sprinkler, which allows you to achieve a shallow sprinkling. This is to prevent the seeds from being washed away by the strong jet of water. In case of spring sowing, it is better to cover the area with light agro-wool after watering. Moisture can be retained for longer and the soil surface is not too warm. Remove cover when sprouting “bumps” appear. Now the care will consist of timely and sufficient watering. This is especially important in dry, hot springs. The surface of the lawn must not dry out, even for a short time, given the depth of the grass root system.
Lawn care
In addition to watering and weeding the lawn requires constant mowing during the growing season. Depending on the composition of the grass mixture and the prevailing weather conditions, the frequency of undercutting varies. The first mowing should be done when the height of the grass reaches about 15 cm. The height of the first mowing should be within 5-6 cm. This is best done with a special lawnmower, allowing you to set the desired cutting height. On small areas this operation can be carried out with a trimmer or even an ordinary scythe. After each mowing the lawn should be generously moistened. Virtually all grasses respond very well to fertilising with composite fertiliser. In case of poor or very thin topsoil it is better to fertilize every month. Lawns can be fertilized by watering with a fertilizer solution. It is allowed to apply granulated fertilizers in a scattered manner, followed by abundant watering.
Of course, the lawn requires care and constant attention. But for that it will be from spring to late autumn pleasing to the eye with emerald greens and unique beauty.
